The UN Works and Relief Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has expressed its concern about a statement made by Jerusalem’s mayor, Nir Barkat, that he would stop the organization’s operations in the occupied city.
UNRWA’s statement, a copy of which was sent to MEMO, said:
“UNRWA conducts humanitarian operations in conformity with the UN Charter, bilateral and multilateral agreements that continue to be in force, [as well as] relevant General Assembly resolutions”.
UNRWA expresses its concern about recent statements made by the Mayor of Jerusalem on its operations and installations in East-Jerusalem. https://t.co/3S0Tpo3m7H
— Joe Catron ? (@jncatron) October 5, 2018
The statement added:
“The Agency is specifically mandated by the UN General Assembly to deliver protection and assistance to Palestine refugees in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, pending a resolution of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.”
It continued:
“UNRWA has continuously maintained operations in the occupied Palestinian territory including East Jerusalem since 1967, with the cooperation and on the basis of a formal agreement with the State of Israel, which remains in force … The Agency is recognized for the important work it carries out in education, health-care, relief and social services in East Jerusalem. It is determined to continue carrying out these services”.
Jerusalem's mayor has said he plans to remove a United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees from the city to "end the lie of the Palestinian refugee problem" https://t.co/ySfyP2xxhA
— Sharif Nashashibi (@sharifnash) October 6, 2018
Yesterday Barkat, Israeli mayor of Jerusalem, accused UNRWA of “operating illegally and promoting incitement against Israel,” before confirming that UNRWA schools in the occupied city will be closed by the end of the current school year. As well as schools, clinics, sports centers, and other services will also be transferred to the Israeli-controlled Jerusalem Municipality.
#Israel to Close UNRWA Schools in #Jerusalem to End Refugee ‘Lie’ https://t.co/9OzzpzMRAf @PalestineChron pic.twitter.com/mUrT0coydt
— Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) October 5, 2018
UNRWA said of Barkat’s statement:
“Such messaging challenges the core principles of impartial and independent humanitarian action and does not reflect the robust and structured dialogue and interaction that UNRWA and the State of Israel have traditionally maintained.”
(MEMO, PC, Social Media)
