Cairo, Feb. 3 (Petra) – The Arab League Council reaffirmed its strong support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and its continued operations, rejecting Israel’s illegal attempts to ban the agency’s work in occupied Palestinian territories.
The council issued a statement following an extraordinary session at the level of permanent representatives, convened at Jordan’s request to address the implications of Israel’s unlawful decision to prohibit UNRWA’s activities.
Jordan’s Permanent Representative to the Arab League, Ambassador Amjad Adaileh, led the Jordanian delegation in coordination with Palestine and Egypt. During the session, Adaileh reiterated Jordan’s unwavering stance on the Palestinian cause and its diplomatic efforts to support UNRWA at both regional and international levels.
The council urged donor countries to fulfill their financial commitments to UNRWA, emphasizing that the agency remains the only entity capable of effectively delivering humanitarian aid and essential services to Palestinian refugees.
The statement also underscored the significance of the Joint Pledging Initiative for UNRWA, launched by Jordan, Kuwait, and Slovenia in May 2024, which has garnered support from 123 countries. This initiative reflects broad international recognition of UNRWA’s crucial role in ensuring regional stability and providing life-saving assistance to millions of Palestinian refugees.
The council strongly condemned Israel’s disregard for international demands to halt its illegal measures against UNRWA. It warned that any Israeli actions obstructing the agency’s vital operations in the occupied Palestinian territories including East Jerusalem and Gaza would have catastrophic consequences for refugees, as no other entity can replace UNRWA’s services.
The statement rejected Israel’s ban on UNRWA in East Jerusalem, denouncing its legal justification as baseless. It reiterated that Israel has no sovereignty over East Jerusalem or any territory occupied since June 5, 1967, and has no authority to impose administrative or legal changes in these areas under international law.
The Arab League Council further stressed that Israel’s ongoing attempts to delegitimize UNRWA are part of a broader effort to undermine the two-state solution and eliminate Palestinian refugees’ rights to return and compensation, as stipulated by international resolutions.
Additionally, the council warned of the dire humanitarian consequences if UNRWA’s services were disrupted, particularly in Gaza, where the international community is racing against time to provide aid amid severe food shortages resulting from Israel’s continued aggression.
The statement called on UN member states to uphold their legal responsibilities regarding Israel’s occupation, as outlined in UN General Assembly resolution (A/RES/ES-10/24). This resolution urges the global community to support the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and to reject any legal recognition of Israel’s illegal presence and demographic alterations in the occupied territories.
The council reaffirmed full support for Palestinian resilience, rejecting any measures aimed at altering Palestinian rights, including settlement expansion, forced displacement, home demolitions, or land annexation. It warned that such actions threaten regional stability, risk escalating the conflict, and undermine prospects for peace and coexistence.
//Petra// AF
03/02/2025 20:31:15
