Also Concludes General Debate on Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees

Approving a draft resolution on the peaceful uses of outer space today, the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) also concluded its general debate on the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), as delegations voiced their concerns about the plight of the refugees and the Agency’s financial sustainability.

Acting without a vote, the Committee approved a draft resolution titled “Matters relating to activities under the United Nations Programme on Space Applications in 2016” (document A/C.4/70/L.9/Rev.1), by which the General Assembly would agree to reinstate four activities under that Programme, including workshops and symposia on space technology.  The Assembly would further decide that those activities would be carried out in 2016 with the budget allocated in 2015.

Presenting the text for action were the representatives of Costa Rica, Kenya and South Africa.

The Committee also reviewed a text (document A/C.4/70/L.13) relating to the programme budget implications of implementing the draft resolution just approved.  By its terms, additional resources would be required of the proposed programme for 2016-2017, which would represent a charge against the contingency fund.

Echoing other speakers, the United Kingdom’s representative expressed concern about the lack of clarity draft resolution “L.9/Rev.1”, and the existence of programme budget implications.  The text’s approval in no way prejudged the discussion to take place in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) on the United Nations budget.

Also speaking in explanation of position were the representatives of Japan, United States and France.

Most of the morning was devoted to a continuation of the general debate on the work of UNRWA, with many speakers emphasizing their appreciation of the Agency’s vital mandate and efforts in difficult circumstances, while also highlighting the challenges confronting it.

Egypt’s representative said the developmental aspect of UNRWA’s mandate, including education and microfinance work, was just as essential as its humanitarian efforts.  It was incumbent upon the international community to ensure that the Agency was able to discharge its duties in a continuous and sustainable manner, he said, stressing that the recent crisis that had threatened the reopening of schools must not recur.  It was a right, not a privilege, for Palestinians to receive UNRWA’s services, and their provision was of paramount importance in combating extremist ideologies.

In a similar vein, Brazil’s representative said the widening gap between the increasing needs of refugees and the Agency’s available resources had led to an unprecedented financial crisis, putting at risk essential services for more than five million people.  While 100,000 Palestinians remained displaced since the 2014 hostilities, reconstruction pledges had gone unfulfilled while the blockade continued to “suffocate” people in the Gaza Strip, where youth unemployment had reached 68 per cent.  UNRWA’s efforts in such a scenario transcended humanitarian assistance, since the Agency played a critical role in ensuring that stability could take root in an environment where poverty, injustice and lack of opportunity prevailed.

Israel’s representative said that, while his country had cooperated with the Agency’s humanitarian mission, jointly coordinated hundreds of projects, and recognized its important contribution, it deeply opposed UNRWA’s political agenda, which “casts a long shadow” over its humanitarian one.  It was disheartening that the Committee’s discussion dedicated so much to criticizing Israel while avoiding the real reason for the stalemate, which was the Palestinian leadership’s unwillingness to resume, without preconditions, direct talks with Israel.  With the Middle East facing unstable regimes and terrorist groups seizing and holding territory, the Palestinian refugees in those countries were “caught in the chaos”, he said.

Other speakers today included representatives of Venezuela, Turkey, Cuba, Qatar, Tunisia, Australia, South Africa, Thailand, Japan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Iceland, Botswana, India, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nigeria, Algeria and the United Arab Emirates.  The Permanent Observer of the Holy See and the Commissioner-General of UNRWA also addressed the Committee.

Speaking in exercise of the right of reply were representatives of the State of Palestine and Syria.

The Fourth Committee will reconvene at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 11 November, to take up the report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories.

Background

The Committee had before it a number of documents relating to United Nations peacekeeping operations and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) (see Press Releases GA/SPD/594 of 30 October and GA/SPD/599 of 9 November for further background information).

The Committee also had before it a draft resolution titled, “Matters relating to activities under the United Nations Programme on Space Applications in 2016” (document A/C.4/70/L.9/Rev.1).  Also before members was a statement submitted by the Secretary-General titled, “Matters relating to activities under the United Nations Programme on Space Applications in 2016 — Programme budget implications of draft resolution A/C.4/70/L.9/Rev.1” (document A/C.4/70/L.13) and a related corrigendum (document A/C.4/70/L.13/Corr.1).

Statements

ANTONIO DE AGUIAR PATRIOTA (Brazil) said UNRWA must overcome ever-growing challenges.  Its facilities and personnel had come under attack in Gaza during 2014, and the widening gap between the increasing needs of refugees and the Agency’s available resources had led to an unprecedented financial crisis, putting at risk essential services for more than five million people.  While 100,000 Palestinians remained displaced since the 2014 hostilities, reconstruction pledges had gone unfulfilled while the blockade continued to “suffocate” people in Gaza, where youth unemployment had reached 68 per cent.  UNRWA’s work in that scenario transcended humanitarian assistance, as the Agency played a critical role in ensuring that stability could take root in an environment where poverty, injustice and lack of opportunity prevailed.  Brazil had stepped up its cooperation with UNRWA in recent years through voluntary financial contributions as well as bilateral and multilateral initiatives, including the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) Fund framework.  It had also become a member of the UNRWA Advisory Commission in 2014.

DOUGLAS NICOMEDES ARCIA VIVAS (Venezuela), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement, said that, despite financial difficulties, UNRWA continued to play an important role in supporting Palestine refugees.  The Agency had come about as a mechanism to provide temporary assistance to Palestine refugees, but its existence in itself could not be seen as a solution to the situation.  It was therefore imperative that Israel end its illegal occupation of Palestinian Territories, he emphasized.  The tumult in the region had increased UNRWA’s workload as well as the challenges confronting the Agency.  To adequately meet those needs, it required more resources, not fewer.  Condemning purposeful acts of violence carried out by Israel against Palestinian refugees, including illegal detention and the military aggression in Gaza in July 2014, he said such actions constituted war crimes and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.  Meanwhile, the economic and social situation in Gaza had worsened after eight years under the blockade, and youths there had seen their future stymied.  Venezuela demanded an end to the blockade and encouraged the international community to fulfil its commitments to help rebuild Gaza, he said.  Finally, he called on the parties to the conflict to resume negotiations with an eye towards peace and the implementation of a two-State solution.

Y. HALIT ÇEVIK (Turkey), speaking also in his capacity as Chair of the Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA, said the situation of Palestine refugees was further aggravated by the “complex and destructive” developments in the region.  The Syrian crisis, in particular, had exacerbated the vulnerability and the tragedy of the Palestinian refugees and had direct repercussions on the Agency’s operations.  UNRWA’s central role and vital functions were being threatened by the insufficiency of resources.  “The Agency’s funding does not keep pace with the changing needs and growth of the refugee population.”  The report of the Working Group highlighted UNRWA’s financial difficulties, operational challenges, efforts to expand its donor base and enhance effective spending of its budget, as well as its recommendations to Member States.  Despite measures taken in recent years to secure sustained and predictable financing, more remained to be done to bolster its financial stability, he emphasized.  Moreover, a change was required in the approach to UNRWA’s finances, including long-term financing commitments by Member States, which were the backbone of the Agency’s budget, as well as implementation of innovative funding and widening of the donor base.  Turkey had contributed some $369 million to the State of Palestine and UNRWA over the past decade, he said.  That was in addition to its pledge of $200 million during the Cairo Donor Conference for the reconstruction of Gaza.  It would also provide $1.5 million as a cash donation to UNRWA for 2016.

DAVID FORÉS RODRÍGUEZ (Cuba), associating herself with the Non-Aligned Movement, said that, following the tragic Al-Nakba, when three quarters of their territory had been taken by force and 85 per cent of the population expelled, some five million Palestinians remained scattered around the world.  Cuba defended their right to return to their land.  A year since the last major military offensive against Gaza, the situation on the ground had worsened, with the media reporting the deaths of Palestinians, mostly women, children and the elderly, she said.  The blockade limited the movement of essential goods, continuing to affect all aspects of Palestinian life and forcing them to depend on international assistance.  Calling for the immediate lifting of the “cruel and illegal” blockade to enable the free circulation and transit of goods, she also noted the continued blocking of UNRWA goods and vehicles and violations of its immunity.  Noting the Agency’s “alarming” financial situation, she urged the donor community to meet its pledges and to consider that the deficit made it impossible for UNRWA to discharge its mandate, thereby exacerbating the situation on the ground.

AHMED ELSHANDAWILY (Egypt), associating himself with the Arab Group and the Non-Aligned Movement, said UNRWA’s role was not limited to humanitarian work, since the developmental aspect of its mandate, including education and microfinance work, was just as essential.  It was incumbent upon the international community to ensure that the Agency was able to discharge its duties in a continuous and sustainable manner, he said, emphasizing that the crisis that had threatened the reopening of schools must not recur.  It was a right, not a privilege, for Palestinians to receive such services, and their provision was paramount in combating extremist ideologies.  In light of those issues, it must also be considered that UNRWA faced ever-growing challenges while the global cost of providing services also continued to rise.  While UNRWA’s work was important, the root cause of the situation must be addressed, and the international community must do everything in its power to find a just and lasting resolution to the Palestine question and that of Palestine refugees.

ALI ABDULRAZZAQ Al-HAMASHI (Qatar) said it was important not to forget that the services provided by UNRWA were the “minimum needed”.  Given the Agency’s vital role, it was a matter of great concern to see the constant budget deficit that affected its work.  Nobody could continue their work in such conditions, he emphasized.  “We need to think about how this gap can be bridged.  The situation of Palestine refugees was becoming increasingly difficult.  Reiterating the international community’s duty to shoulder its responsibility vis a vis the refugees, he said his country had responded promptly to the urgent humanitarian situation in Gaza and UNRWA’s 2014 funding shortfall.

RIADH BEN SLIMAN (Tunisia), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement and the Arab Group, said the report on UNRWA’s activities clearly illustrated the severe challenges that the Agency faced and the dire financial situation with which it was confronted.  “The growing demands and the financial difficulties is limiting the capacity of UNRWA to meet the basic needs of Palestinian refugees,” he said, calling for strong and determined action from the international community to enable the Agency to continue to carry out its mission promptly and efficiently.  The problem of Palestine refugees had its root causes in the Israeli occupation, which had engendered a “profound sense of hopelessness and despair” among Palestinians, he said, adding that a growing feeling of frustration and loss of hope in the future was the dominant sense in the West Bank and Gaza.

BENJAMIN SHARONI (Israel) said that, while his country had cooperated in UNRWA’s humanitarian mission, jointly coordinated hundreds of projects, and recognized its important contribution, it deeply opposed the Agency’s political agenda, which “casts a long shadow” over its humanitarian one.  The number of refugees covered by its mandate had increased from hundreds of thousands to more than five million, and the restriction of losing refugee status upon gaining the citizenship of another country did not apply in the Palestinian case.  He expressed regret that, during the reporting period, UNRWA had not upheld a standard of balanced reporting and neutrality expected from United Nations bodies.  Noting that the “terrorist group” Hamas was the de facto authority in the Gaza Strip, he said it often obstructed humanitarian efforts, yet even when it endangered Palestinian lives, UNRWA’s public reports and statements avoided mentioning its name.  Moreover, recent reports suggested that UNRWA workers were actively inciting and advocating Palestinian violence on social media, which was especially alarming given the backdrop of terror attacks against Israeli citizens.  Israel called for an immediate, independent and transparent inquiry into those acts of incitement.

He went on to state that a one-sided narrative and the “fuelling of false promises” were also occurring within the UNRWA educational system.  While Hamas was obstructing reconstruction, Israel was working with the Agency to help meet humanitarian challenges in Gaza, with hundreds of trucks carrying goods into the enclave from Israel through the Kerem Shalom crossing every day.  However, in UNRWA’s 2015 report, it was the Bashar al-Assad regime that had received credit for facilitating the Agency’s work in Syria.  It was disheartening that the discussion dedicated so much to criticizing Israel while avoiding the real reason for the stalemate, which was the Palestinian leadership’s unwillingness to resume direct talks with Israel, without preconditions.  With the Middle East facing unstable regimes and terrorist groups seizing and holding territory, the Palestinian refugees in those countries were “caught in the chaos”, he continued.  In Syria, they faced death and displacement, and in Lebanon, they had been segregated and isolated for generations.  Many Arab representatives had expressed concern about Palestinian refugees, but when their Governments had had the opportunity to improve their lives, they had “cynically exploited them for political purposes”.  He pointed out that, in 2014, nine out of the top 10 donors to UNRWA’s regular budget had been Western countries.  When it came to helping Palestinian refugees, some Arab countries could not “find their wallets”, he added.

CAITLIN WILSON (Australia) said that, during 2015, UNRWA had to fulfil its mandate despite an increasingly volatile situation in the region.  The humanitarian crises in Syria and neighbouring Iraq had created large-scale movements of people.  As well as adding another layer of complexity for UNRWA staff, the conflicts in those countries had also placed competing calls on donors’ finite contributions.  She went on to acknowledge UNRWA’s efforts to harness the private sector in its work, and commended the Agency for its capacity to innovate and find new ways to tackle intractable problems.  Noting that her country had been a long-term financial contributor to UNRWA, having made its first commitments in 1952, she said that in the current financial year, Australia would provide $A 19.3 million to the Agency.  Its most recent funding had been made under a five-year, $A 90 million framework.

MAHLATSE MMINELE (South Africa), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement, noted that UNRWA remained almost the only agency delivering basic health, education, housing and funding services to Palestinians despite the continued illegal blockade, the impact of the civil war in Syria and the growing instability caused by ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant).  The Agency’s important work required sufficient and predictable funding, which had unfortunately not been provided.  While expressing appreciation to the countries in UNRWA’s field of operations for hosting the Palestinian refugees and providing vital humanitarian assistance under very difficult conditions, he noted with concern that a growing number of refugees were being marginalized in the host nations.  UNRWA’s mandate would remain valid until a just and lasting peace was forged between Israel and the State of Palestine, which must cover the right of Palestinian refugees to return and fair compensation, which could only be attained through a negotiated settlement entailing a two-State solution.

PONGPISOOT WONGVEEERASIN (Thailand) said his delegation shared the international concern over the daily hardships faced by Palestinian refugees, and urged all parties concerned to respect the civilian nature of the refugee camps while facilitating the provision of humanitarian assistance to those in need.  Thailand was also concerned that UNRWA had been confronting a dire financial crisis, and called upon Member States to provide continuing and sustained support in order to place the Agency on a more secure financial footing.  In 2014, Thailand had responded to the Gaza Flash Appeal by contributing $100,000 to UNRWA, and an additional $100,000 to the Palestine Red Crescent Society in order to address the refugees’ most pressing needs, he said.  Furthermore, Thailand participated annually in the commemoration of the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.  Emphasizing that animosity and mistrust must give way to mutual respect and cooperation, he said violence and reprisals must be replaced by dialogue and negotiations.  The parties concerned must exert maximum efforts to find a way forward to a comprehensive resolution of the long-standing conflict that had plagued the Middle East, he stressed.

YUSUKE SHIMIZU (Japan) said that the sixty-fifth year of UNRWA’s operations was a stark reminder that four generations of Palestinians remained without a State to call home.  The scale and significance of the Agency’s operations made it a pillar of support to five million refugees and also a bulwark of stability in an increasingly volatile region.  Japan called upon all parties to accord unfettered access and protection to UNRWA and its staff in carrying out its mandated operations.  On the Agency’s budgetary concerns, he expressed appreciation for it having expanded its donor base, noting in particular the increased donations from regional States and efforts at cost-efficiency.  Those efforts, however, should not jeopardize essential relief operations and core services, such as education, he emphasized.  Japan had contributed a record $45 million in 2014, and last month, in response to growing needs, an additional $5.7 million in food aid through the Agency.  While life-saving services were fundamental, survival was not an end goal, he stressed.  International assistance must also provide support to help Palestinians lead dignified and fulfilling lives.  Educational opportunities for 480,000 Palestinian children and youths must not be endangered for financial reasons, he said, noting that his country was a participant in the “Back to Learning” programme.  He went on to state that the ongoing blockade of Gaza was not only hampering the reconstruction process, but also taking a heavy toll on economic prospects.  Japan called for the further opening of Gaza crossings, with due regard for security concerns.

FAISAL EBRAHIM ALZAYANI (Bahrain) said that Israel’s coercive displacement, restrictions on mobility and destruction of homes had negatively impacted the life of Palestinian refugees, adding that the occupation had also forced poverty upon the great majority of the refugee population.  The acute financial crises faced by UNRWA threatened its work, and while it had been adopting innovative financing strategies, the current shortfall would not be overcome unless resources could be mobilized as they had been in previous years.  Recalling the crisis that had almost prevented some 500,000 Palestinian children from attending school, he said that Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, among other Arab States, had responded generously to that appeal.  Emphasizing that operational and financial difficulties must not overshadow UNRWA’s history, which was full of major accomplishments, he expressed hope that the Agency would be able to attract further donations to enable it to preserve its tasks, as well as fulfilling unaddressed needs.  He concluded by stressing that the problem of the Palestinian refugees was a political one, caused by the non-implementation of General Assembly resolutions stipulating the right of Palestinians to return home.  UNRWA was indispensable until the question of Palestinian refugees was resolved in accordance with those resolutions, he said.

DESRA PERCAYA (Indonesia), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement, said his delegation had noted the Commissioner-General’s report with “sadness and dismay” because it captured once again the horrible reality of the daily lives of Palestinian refugees.  Indonesia reiterated its strong condemnation of the 2014 Israeli aggression against Gaza, which had damaged several UNRWA-operated schools and taken the lives of refugees and officials.  He expressed appreciation of the Secretary-General’s decision to establish a board of inquiry to investigate such incidents affecting UNRWA in Gaza.  Noting, however, that the board was not concerned with legal accountability, he encouraged the international community to support the State of Palestine’s efforts to hold Israeli officials accountable in the relevant international forum.  Indonesia was concerned about the Agency’s financial difficulties and deeply regretted that it had been forced to scale back its services, he said, adding that UNRWA should consider conducting an assessment of the most vulnerable groups of refugees, and make the necessary response to alleviate their predicament.  Indonesia’s support for the State of Palestine was also channelled through the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development, whose commitments were in synergy with UNRWA’s strategic objectives, he said.

EINAR GUNNARSSON (Iceland) said that the tragic conflict in Syria, with its unending brutal violence, was intensifying the humanitarian needs of Palestinian refugees and gravely affecting UNRWA’s operational environment.  Thousands had been forced to leave their homes and had become internally displaced, while others had been forced to leave the country altogether.  Under those extremely difficult circumstances, the assistance and protection of UNRWA was more important than ever, and Agency staff on the ground in Syria must be commended for their bravery and dedication, he said.  Noting that UNRWA was never meant to be permanent, he said it would remain badly needed until a just and lasting solution was found for the refugees.

CHARLES THEMBANI NTWAAGAE (Botswana), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement, stressed the importance of the fundamental principle of self-determination of peoples under foreign occupation.  Botswana was deeply concerned that the Palestinian people continued to be denied that inalienable right by the occupying Power, Israel.  Denying another nation the right to self-determination undermined the collective efforts of humanity and the noble principles upon which the United Nations was founded, he said, emphasizing that there was no alternative to a two-State solution, entailing the co-existence of Israel and the State of Palestine living side by side in peace as sovereign States.  Botswana joined the international community in deploring the continued human rights violations in the Middle East, and commended UNRWA’s efforts in providing humanitarian assistance to the 5.2 million Palestine refugees in the Occupied Territories.  He also welcomed continuing efforts by the Secretary-General, the Middle East Quartet, the Security Council and all those who remained committed to the peace process.  While such efforts required full support from all nations, the Israelis and Palestinians should equally prove their will and desire to shape their own future and end the “long, drawn-out conflict”, he said.

SURYANARAYAN SRINIVAS PRASAD (India) reiterated his country’s unwavering support for the State of Palestine’s just cause, its solidarity with the Palestinian people and its support for UNRWA in meeting its mandate.  The country’s continuing support had been highlighted by the first-ever visit to the State of Palestine by an Indian Head of State.  India also supported development and nation-building efforts by extending technical and financial assistance, and by increasing slots for Palestinian students under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme.  During the Indian President’s visit, he had inaugurated the India-Palestine Centre for Excellence in Information and Communications Technology at Al-Quds University, and contributed $5 million in budgetary support.  India continued to contribute $1 million to UNRWA annually, and had provided $4 million in response to the National Early Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza, he said, adding that it was also implementing projects within the framework of the IBSA Fund.

ABDULLAH AL KHUBAIZI (Kuwait), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement and the Arab Group, recognized the work carried out by UNRWA in support of millions of Palestine refugees, who faced difficult living conditions on a daily basis.  Noting that the burden on the Agency was a result of Israel’s actions, he said everyone remembered what had taken place in Gaza in the summer of 2014.  Israel’s lack of respect for United Nations premises had resulted in a number of deaths, including those of 11 UNWRA staff, he recalled.  Security Council resolutions calling for an end to the Gaza blockade must be respected, he emphasized.  The activities of the Israeli authorities and their settlement activities meant that such aggression was on the increase.  The international community must shoulder its responsibility to end the suffering of the Palestinian refugees, and address the crimes “which are approaching war crimes” without double standards, he stressed.  Kuwait invited all Member States to continue to support UNRWA in the exercise of its mandate, noting that his country had extended generous contributions to the Agency, having recently contributed $50 million in response to UNRWA’s appeal in relation to its threatened education programme, and $200 million over three years for the rebuilding of Gaza.

RAJA REZA RAJA ZAIB SHAH (Malaysia), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement and the Arab Group, said that in order for UNRWA to undertake its activities effectively, the United Nations must urgently address the crisis in the Agency’s General Fund.  As a non-traditional donor, Malaysia remained firmly committed to providing and facilitating assistance to the Palestinian people through its regular and one-off contributions, and appealed to other Member States to enhance their donations to the Agency.  The worsening situation of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, deliberately instigated by the occupying Power, posed a great threat to the survival of the Palestinian people, he said.  It required the lifting of restrictions on the movement of UNRWA goods and personnel in the West Bank and Gaza, which undermined the Agency’s ability to fulfil its responsibilities to the Palestinian refugees.  Additionally, UNRWA’s work in Syria deserved full support from Member States because its efforts had forestalled a more alarming humanitarian disaster and demonstrated — in a tangible manner — the international community’s concern and sympathy.

ANTHONY BOSAH (Nigeria) said the prolonged armed conflict in Syria had exacerbated the difficulties of the refugees in the region and placed additional pressures on UNRWA’s lean resources.  High levels of food insecurity, unemployment and poverty were serious challenges.  Since it was 97 per cent reliant on voluntary contributions, UNRWA was challenged by gross inadequacy of funds to deliver on its mandate, he said, noting with appreciation that the Agency continued to sustain its work in spite of its huge financial challenges.  “It is critical that we work collectively to ensure that UNRWA receives the funding it requires to deliver on its mandate in providing humanitarian services and stability in the occupied territory,” he said.

LARBI DJACTA (Algeria), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement and the Arab Group, expressed his deep concern about the magnitude of the problem under discussion, which was no longer a blip on the international screen, but a complex problem, the victims of which huddled in overcrowded camps.  Israel had forced the refugees into exile and deprived them of the dignity of free men and women, he said.  Reiterating his country’s strong support for UNRWA’s programmes that protected more than 5 million Palestinian refugees, he said its resolve and mandate were essential and must be preserved.  Algeria was deeply concerned about the critical situation of the Palestinian refugees, which was well-documented in the Commissioner-General’s report.  The occupation continued to adversely affect every aspect of their daily lives, and they were sinking deeper into poverty and desperation.  Israel’s unprecedented and inhumane blockade of Gaza had deeply crippled the enclave’s economy, and Israel was also systematically blocking the movement of goods required for the reconstruction of infrastructure devastated by its continued attacks on refugee camps.  The unconditional and immediate lifting of the blockade was the only way for Palestinian refugees to reduce their dependence on UNRWA, he said, adding that the international community had a collective responsibility until a just solution to the conflict was found.  Donors must deliver and remain committed to ensuring that the Agency was able to provide vital services to refugees.

AHMED ABDELRAHMAN AHMED ALMAHMOUD (United Arab Emirates), noting the difficult financial challenges facing UNRWA in the midst of Israel’s occupation policies and a worsening crisis in Syria, said there had been intentional targeting of Palestinian refugees around that country, especially in the Yarmouk refugee camp, in one of the “biggest human catastrophes in the modern age”.  He called upon the United Nations to end the suffering of the Palestinian people, hold Israel liable for violating international conventions, and hold it accountable for its crimes.  Pointing out that his country remained an important and substantial donor to UNRWA, he said it had never hesitated in providing the necessary assistance, especially emergency relief to Palestinian refugees affected by conflict.  Moreover, the United Arab Emirates had been the third largest donor to the emergency appeal for Syria in 2014, a year in which it had hosted the first conference on the protection of refugees in the Middle East and North Africa.  In in cooperation with UNRWA, the United Arab Emirates had also launched a campaign to support and develop the education sector for children in the Gaza Strip.  Additionally, it had pledged $200 million at the Cairo International Conference, entitled, “Rebuilding Gaza”, which had taken place in 2014.

BERNARDITO CLEOPAS AUZA, Permanent Observer of the Holy See, said the ever-increasing tensions and violence in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem were of grave concern to his delegation.  As a spiritual patrimony of the three monotheistic religions — Judaism, Christianity and Islam – the Holy See supported a comprehensive, just and lasting solution for the City of Jerusalem, which should ensure freedom of religion and conscience for its inhabitants.  Turning to UNRWA’s latest report, he expressed regret over the situation of refugees, particularly women and children, whose camps had become targets of military actions.  Unfortunately, the report did not give hope that such barbaric attacks against the Palestinian refugees would end soon.  Expressing deep gratitude and appreciation to the people of Lebanon and Jordan for their enduring collaboration with UNRWA, he said such countries needed international support to take care of refugees.

PIERRE KRÄHENBÜHL, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, responded by thanking delegations for their strong support, noting that many of them had commented on the Agency’s financial shortfall, and recalling that many countries had come forward to assist it financially in 2015.  In that regard, he asked them to continue to support UNRWA “financially and diplomatically”, and expressed appreciation for all references to the safety of Agency staff.  Emphasizing that the support provided by UNRWA could not be a substitute for a political solution, he stressed that the challenge of youth unemployment remained a key issue to be addressed.

Responding specifically to the representative of Israel, he said that despite their many areas of disagreement, it was important to address such issues clearly and directly.  UNRWA had no difficulties in addressing the role of Hamas, he said, recalling that he had himself personally condemned the group’s use of rocket fire summer conflict in 2014.  Similarly, UNRWA had not hesitated to condemn the siege imposed on the Yarmouk refugee camp, nor the activities going on inside it.  The true test of the seriousness of international law was not the standards that one applied to others, but those that one applied to oneself, he stressed.

“What is at the heart of the matter here is the need for a political solution,” he continued, saying that however frequently that solution was called for, it was action on the ground that was needed.  Notwithstanding the comments that had been made, UNRWA did not have that political responsibility, and therefore, nothing the Agency could do would stem the frustrations of the Palestine refugees if political inaction — which had gone on far too long — continued.  “By supporting UNRWA, you’re providing a measure of hope and stability to the region,” he said in conclusion.

Right of Reply

The representative of the State of Palestine, speaking in exercise of the right of reply, responded to representative of Israel’s statement by reiterating that the right of Palestinian refugees to return was a right, not a claim, and it was inabrogable.  It was enshrined in General Assembly resolution 194 and based on international law.  It would be unacceptable today if a certain group was told it could not return to its place of origin because it could not meet the criteria of belonging to a specific ethnic or religious group.  Israel’s rejection of that point was at the core of the problem, she said, emphasizing, however, that neither that rejection nor demeaning the Palestinian people would force them to forego their right.  That had not happened in the 67 years since Al-Nakba and would never happen.

She went on to stress that the situation was not a zero-sum game, because without fulfilment of rights for the Palestinian people, peace and security would remain elusive.  The State of Palestine insisted on humanitarian law and United Nations resolutions as the basis for a just and lasting solution.  The concept of “no preconditions” was intended to detach negotiations from international law and a framework that could ensure justice and a viable peace.  If that was considered an obstruction of peace then perhaps not just the State of Palestine, but the entire international community had misunderstood, she said.  UNRWA did not present a “one-sided narrative”; it promoted human development and the protection of rights and dignity on the basis of international humanitarian and human rights law, as broadly and firmly recognized in statements heard in the Committee and in support of the 5.5 million refugees registered with the Agency.  The question of Palestine and Palestinian refugees was “the moral question of our time”, she said.

The representative of Syria, also speaking in exercise of his right of reply, said he must clarify some points relating to allegations made by the representative of the Israeli occupation.  Regarding the so-called siege of Yarmouk, he referred to Syrian Government reports as well as those made by the Secretary-General, saying the camp had been besieged from the inside by terrorist groups which had attacked and destabilized it.  Many found it strange when the representative of the occupying authorities spoke about the situation of refugees in Syria as if he were concerned about them.  Everyone knew that Israel was the sole reason for the tragedy of those refugees over seven decades.  Israel had evicted them through the use of massacres, terrorism and daily aggression, he said, questioning how the representative had dared speak of the human rights of Palestinian refugees in Syria when he represented occupying authorities which refused to recognize their fundamental human right to return to their homes.

He went on to say that the same authority chased the refugees even in their shelters, imposing an unjust siege on Gaza, and killing considerable numbers, including children, the elderly, medical crews, and journalists.  That was in addition to destroying UNRWA facilities and killing its personnel.  Israel’s representative had brazenly denied the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and then criticized the Agency for extending human assistance to them.  Now, by talking about the situation of Palestine refugees in Syria, he was making light, in an unprecedented manner, of the Committee’s work in order to distract attention from the pogroms and crimes it perpetrated daily.  Having listened to the volume of disapproval and condemnation of its racist policies, the representative had found himself in an unenviable position as usual.  If he was really worried about Palestinian refugees in Syria, then, simply, instead of shedding “crocodile tears” in the chamber, he could demand that the occupying authority end their occupation of Palestine and allow the people to return to their homes, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 194.  It must also end its support for terrorist groups such as the Al-Nusra Front in the Syrian Golan —the same groups that had attacked the Yarmouk camp and others, he added.

Action on Draft Resolution

The Committee then turned its attention to a number of outstanding draft resolutions relating to international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.  Acting without a vote, it approved a text titled, “Matters relating to activities under the United Nations Programme on Space Applications in 2016” (document A/C.4/70/L.9/Rev.1).

The representative of Japan said his delegation was pleased to join the consensus, but was concerned that the draft resolution had resulted in programme budget implications.  Japan hoped that discussions on that matter would continue in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary).

The representative of France echoed that sentiment, saying that the confusion surrounding the text was regrettable.

The representative of the United Kingdom said he was concerned about the lack of clarity around the draft resolution, as well as the programme budget implications.  The text’s approval in no way prejudged the discussion to take place in the Fifth Committee on the Organization’s budget, he emphasized.

The representative of the United States reminded the Committee that the confusion surrounding the text had occurred due to the “unnecessary politicization” of the work of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.  Had that not occurred, the workshops listed in the draft resolution would have been approved alongside the report already adopted, and without any programme budget implications.