{"id":167221,"date":"2018-11-13T19:01:19","date_gmt":"2018-11-13T19:01:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=167221"},"modified":"2021-11-11T13:34:42","modified_gmt":"2021-11-11T18:34:42","slug":"delegates-call-for-predictable-sustained-financing-of-unrwa-as-fourth-committee-concludes-general-debate-press-release","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/delegates-call-for-predictable-sustained-financing-of-unrwa-as-fourth-committee-concludes-general-debate-press-release\/","title":{"rendered":"Delegates Call for Predictable, Sustained Financing of UNRWA as Fourth Committee Concludes General Debate – Press Release"},"content":{"rendered":"

SEVENTY-THIRD SESSION,<\/span>\u00a025TH MEETING (AM)
\n<\/span>GA\/SPD\/685<\/strong>
\n12 NOVEMBER 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

fran\u00e7ais<\/a><\/p>\n

Commissioner-General Defends Humanitarian Nature of Agency\u2019s Work, Reinforces Palestinian Descendants\u2019 Right to Refugee Status<\/h4>\n

Delegates called today for sustainable financing to secure the future of the Â鶹APP Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u00a0(UNRWA), also urging enhanced efficiency and reduced costs on its part, as the Fourth Committee\u00a0(Special Political and Decolonization) concluded its general debate on that Agency\u2019s work.<\/p>\n

Egypt\u2019s delegate expressed appreciation for donors who helped alleviate the Agency\u2019s 2018\u00a0financial crisis, while warning:\u00a0 \u201cAddressing the shortfall this year does not mean we will not face the same problem next year.\u201d\u00a0 He called for sustainable funding to secure the Agency\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

Echoing that sentiment, Lebanon\u2019s representative called for predictable funding of\u00a0UNRWA and welcomed new initiatives to fund the Agency, highlighting the challenge of ensuring that its crisis does not prove a long-term one.\u00a0 Caring for Palestinian refugees is a shared international responsibility, he emphasized.<\/p>\n

Also calling for predictable and sustainable financing, Brazil\u2019s delegate said UNRWA\u2019s essential operational costs should be met by the regular budget of the Â鶹APP, and expressed hope that the General Assembly can adopt a resolution in this regard.<\/p>\n

Similarly, India\u2019s representative called for adequate, sustainable and predictable funding and the allocation of additional resources to the Agency from the regular budget, emphasizing that austerity is not the only path to delivering on its mandates.<\/p>\n

Japan\u2019s delegate called upon UNRWA to expand its donor base and enhance the involvement of the private sector, expressing hope that those initiatives will provide it with reliable funding.\u00a0 \u201cWe expect UNRWA to continue its own efforts to improve efficiency and reduce costs,\u201d she said, adding that such efforts will attract increased contributions.\u00a0 In that context, she highlighted a new \u201ccrowd-funding\u201d project spearheaded by\u00a0UNRWA and Japan \u2014 the first of its kind \u2014 the proceeds of which will go to the Agency.<\/p>\n

Other speakers today included representatives of Syria, Jordan, Tunisia, Norway, Kuwait, Ecuador, Australia, Turkey, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Nigeria, United Arab Emirates, Sudan and the Russian Federation.<\/p>\n

An observer of the Holy See also delivered a statement.<\/p>\n

The Commissioner-General of UNRWA delivered concluding remarks.<\/p>\n

Speaking in exercise of the right of reply were a representative of Israel and an observer for the State of Palestine.<\/p>\n

The Fourth Committee will reconvene at 3\u00a0p.m. on Tuesday, 13\u00a0November, to begin its general debate on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories.<\/p>\n

General Debate<\/u><\/p>\n

MOUNZER MOUNZER (Syria<\/u>), emphasizing that the question of Palestine refugees is an international political, legal and moral responsibility, said the inability of the Â鶹APP to enforce resolution\u00a0194\u00a0(1948) has emboldened Israel to continue its displacement policy.\u00a0 Noting that his country is hosting Palestine refugees as \u201cdear brothers and sisters\u201d pending their return home, he said they are suffering in Syria because of attacks by armed terrorist groups that have infiltrated their camps, causing a humanitarian crisis until the Syrian military liberated them.\u00a0 He said the attacks are the implementation of an agenda to interfere with the right of Palestine refugees to return home.<\/p>\n

He went on to emphasize the importance of the Â鶹APP Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u00a0(UNRWA), calling upon Member States to secure donations to the Agency in a consistent manner and noting that the cost of hosting Palestine refugees was 558\u00a0billion Syrian lira in\u00a02017.\u00a0 Syria rejects any option that would end UNRWA\u2019s services as a violation of international law, he said, also objecting to attempts to shift responsibility for refugee services to the Office of the Â鶹APP High Commissioner for Refugees\u00a0(UNHCR) or any other of the Organization\u2019s agencies.\u00a0 The Â鶹APP and the Secretary-General must bridge the Agency\u2019s funding shortfall and work with UNRWA to sustain funding, he stressed.<\/p>\n

SIMA SAMI I. BAHOUS (Jordan<\/u>) recalled that UNRWA was formed after the 1948\u00a0Nakba [the 1948 Palestinian exodus], reflecting the General Assembly\u2019s desire to protect Palestine refugees.\u00a0 Today, many of those refugees are denied their right to prosper and to return to their villages, she said.\u00a0 Noting that her country hosts the largest number of Palestine refugees, she said Jordan mobilizes efforts to support UNRWA so that it can carry out its mandate.\u00a0 Concerned about the negative repercussions of the Agency\u2019s financial shortfall, she warned that undermining UNRWA could deepen the frustrations of refugees and cause young people to fall prey to extremism.\u00a0 Moreover, the situation of Palestine refugees is a final-status issue, unaffected by the assumptions of other nations, she pointed out.\u00a0 Palestine refugees have had to move to different States because of violations committed against them while they await justice, she observed.<\/p>\n

Outlining Jordan\u2019s support for Palestine refugees, she said that the Government granted them nationality to allow them to live in dignity.\u00a0 However, that action should not affect their inalienable right to return to their own land, she stressed.\u00a0 Expressing appreciation for the efforts of States that have addressed the Agency\u2019s financial shortfall, she singled out Jordan, Egypt and Sweden for their cooperation in hosting the Rome Conference in March, adding that several States hosted a ministerial meeting during the General Assembly\u2019s high-level debate in September.\u00a0 Such support has reduced UNRWA\u2019s deficit to $64\u00a0million, allowing the Agency to keep its schools open and continue its services, she said.\u00a0 However, the absence of a collective solution to UNRWA\u2019s challenges will undermine the Agency, she observed, emphasizing that its role will remain critical until a just resolution of the question of Palestine is found.<\/p>\n

NASREDDINE NAOUALI (Tunisia<\/u>), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation\u00a0(OIC), stressed the urgent need for collective efforts to provide UNRWA with the necessary support to overcome its current unprecedented financial deficit.\u00a0 The inability to provide Palestine refugees with the services that the Agency currently provides will upend the lives of more than 5\u00a0million people and increase the risk of radicalizing frustrated youth, he warned.\u00a0 Noting that forced displacement, home demolitions and restrictions on movement have a negative effect on Palestinian living conditions and pose daunting challenges to the Agency\u2019s mandate, he emphasized that the international community must urge Israel to abide by its responsibilities under international law, underlining also that humanitarian funding must not be politicized.<\/p>\n

BACHIR SALEH AZZAM (Lebanon<\/u>), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement and the OIC, noted that for 70\u00a0years Palestine refugees have suffered the unutterable suffering of being deprived of property, homeland and a decent life.\u00a0 Emphasizing that a just cause does not age, he said that every year that goes by makes the issue more relevant.\u00a0 Noting with concern the funding crisis that the Agency is experiencing, he pointed out that his country hosts about 469,000\u00a0registered Palestine refugees and is a member of the Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA.\u00a0 He expressed regret at the United States funding cut, saying Lebanon directly feels the Agency\u2019s financing shortfall.\u00a0 Emphasizing that caring for Palestine refugees is a shared international responsibility, he welcomed the proposed initiatives to fund the Agency through four\u00a0stages.<\/p>\n

However, the challenge of ensuring that UNRWA\u2019s crisis is not a long-term one remains, he said, urging predictable funding for the Agency.\u00a0 Having carried a human message since its founding, UNRWA has contributed to efforts aimed at keeping the right of return on the table, he said, describing that as a political solution to which Lebanon is attached while expressing concern over attacks against that idea.\u00a0 He also condemned Israel\u2019s attacks against the Agency, including threats to close its offices in East Jerusalem and to undermine the status of Palestine as refugees.\u00a0 UNRWA is tasked with providing assistance and protection to Palestinians until there is a lasting solution to the conflict in the region, not to predicate the status of refugees in general, he stressed.<\/p>\n

TORE HATTREM (Norway<\/u>) said 2018 has been a year of unprecedented financial crisis for UNRWA, with the humanitarian situation of 2\u00a0million Palestinians in Gaza critical.\u00a0 The Palestinian economy is under great pressure and facing possible collapse and Palestine refugees are still displaced by the Syria crisis.\u00a0 Without a political resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, UNRWA is indispensable as a service provider, employer, vehicle of economic activity and regional stabilizer, he said, emphasizing that its financial situation is very concerning and that the coming months will be more difficult than ever before.\u00a0 With the withdrawal of the United States, long-term donors to UNRWA must work for a more sustainable financial situation for the Agency, he said, welcoming its strong efforts on cost efficiency and reform, which are painful but necessary so as to maintain the ability to deliver essential services to the most vulnerable populations.\u00a0 Norway remains a consistent partner to UNRWA in terms of political and financial support and has allocated additional resources in\u00a02018 because of the prevailing situation, he said, expressing regret over the unprecedented lack of consensus in the 2018\u00a0report of the Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA.<\/p>\n

TAREK AHMED MAHFOUZ AHMED MAHFOUZ (Egypt<\/u>), noting the vital services provided by UNRWA as well as its assistance to Arab countries hosting Palestine refugees, urged Member States not to politicize its financial shortfall issues.\u00a0 Any disagreement over the Agency\u2019s work can be discussed in an open and transparent manner, but there can be no disagreement that its absence would lead to a humanitarian disaster, imposing additional burdens on host States, he warned.\u00a0 How can young Palestinians born as refugees, and continuing to live as such, understand the denial of their right to education and health care for no apparent reason? he asked.\u00a0 While expressing appreciation for the UNRWA Commissioner-General\u2019s efforts to support Palestine refugees and provide for their needs, as well as for the endeavours of donor countries which have allowed the Agency to continue its work, he declared:\u00a0 \u201cThe challenge remains and addressing the shortfall this year does not mean we will not face the same problem next year,\u201d calling for sustainable and predictable funding for UNRWA\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

MESHARI SALEH AL-MUZAINI (Kuwait<\/u>) reiterated his country\u2019s support for and assistance to UNRWA, noting that it is going through an unprecedented financial crisis.\u00a0 Expressing concern in that regard, he said the shortfall jeopardizes the continued provision of services, and as such, Kuwait calls upon the international community to exert pressure on Israel, the occupying Power, to end the blockade imposed on Gaza and the restrictions on movement and goods in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.\u00a0 He also called for a fair and sustainable solution to the conflict, in accordance with the relevant Â鶹APP resolutions, which also address all final-status issues.\u00a0 Kuwait responded to the Agency\u2019s recent appeals by providing $50\u00a0million in response to UNRWA\u2019s critical 2018\u00a0budget shortfall, he reported.<\/p>\n

AM\u00c9RICA LOURDES PEREIRA SOTOMAYOR (Ecuador<\/u>), associating herself with the Non-Aligned Movement, said that support for Palestine refugees is a fundamental facet of the Palestinian question.\u00a0 The various reports issued by the Â鶹APP on the situation of Palestine refugees demonstrate the essential need for UNRWA, she said.\u00a0 The Agency\u2019s functioning is vital to ensuring the delivery of vital services, she added, citing statistics from the Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA on education, primary health-care clinics, solid-waste disposal in refugee camps, food security assistance and youth training programmes.\u00a0 The Working Group\u2019s report reveals that a large portion of the refugee community requires food security.\u00a0 Noting that UNRWA\u2019s funding crisis has been exacerbated by the reduced contribution of the Agency\u2019s main donor, she called for sustained and predictable contributions to UNRWA, especially in light of the predicted increase in the Palestine refugee population to 6.4million people.<\/p>\n

ROWAN ROBERT ASHBY (Australia<\/u>), noting that his country has provided funding to UNRWA for more than 50\u00a0years, including $A80 million on a multi-year basis, said it is essential that the Agency keep reaching out to new or non-traditional donors and private sources.\u00a0 Describing UNRWA\u2019s neutrality as one of its most important assets, he urged the Agency to redouble its internal oversight efforts.\u00a0 \u201cThe future for Palestinian refugees must come through a political solution,\u201d he added, emphasizing Australia\u2019s commitment to a two-State solution and encouraging the parties to resume negotiations as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

MAURO VIEIRA (Brazil<\/u>) highlighted UNRWA\u2019s vital role in ensuring the delivery of health, education and other basic services for almost 5.3\u00a0million refugees.\u00a0 By alleviating their suffering, the Agency contributes to the restoration of stability and peace to the region.\u00a0 Given its unquestionable relevance, UNRWA\u2019s current financial crisis concerns the entire international community, emphasizing that since the Â鶹APP gave the Agency its mandate, it should be provided with the means to implement it as well.\u00a0 As a member of UNRWA\u2019s Advisory Commission, Brazil supports more predictable and sustainable funding, he said, emphasizing that its essential operational costs should be met by the regular budget of the Organization, and expressing hope that the General Assembly will be able to adopt a resolution in that regard.<\/p>\n

SHIORI AMIYA (Japan<\/u>) said UNRWA plays a crucial role in serving Palestine refugees, adding that his country provided it with $45\u00a0million in 2018.\u00a0 Noting that the Agency\u2019s funding needs until\u00a02018 have been met, she cautioned that the funding situation for\u00a02019 remains uncertain.\u00a0 \u201cWe expect UNRWA to continue its own efforts to improve efficiency and reduce costs,\u201d she said, adding that such efforts will attract increased contributions.\u00a0 UNRWA recognizes the need to expand its donor base and enhance private-sector involvement, she said, adding that Japan hopes those initiatives will provide reliable funding.\u00a0 She said proceeds from a new \u201ccrowd-funding\u201d project spearheaded by UNRWA and Japan \u2014 the first of its kind \u2014 will go to the Agency.\u00a0 \u201cJapan continues to provide assistance to Palestine refugees,\u201d she said, adding that her country will contribute to efforts to improve UNRWA\u2019s efficiency.<\/p>\n

\u00d6NC\u00dc KE\u00c7ELI (Turkey<\/u>) said his country has increased financial assistance to UNRWA and worked to mobilize the international community to raise contributions.\u00a0 Alongside Switzerland, Turkey established a steering committee to ensure financing for the Agency, he said, also noting the existence of new funding mechanisms associated with international financial institutions.\u00a0 Underlining that allegations of political motivation against the Agency are false and baseless, he called upon Member States to support the extension of UNRWA\u2019s mandate when it is considered in 2019.<\/p>\n

MAHESH KUMAR (India<\/u>) noted that his country\u2019s Government has increased its annual financial contribution to UNRWA\u2019s core budget from $1\u00a0million in\u00a02016 to $5\u00a0million in\u00a02018 and is committed to contributing $5\u00a0million in\u00a02019.\u00a0 Moreover, India provides 150\u00a0places for Palestinians annually in the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme.\u00a0 India launched an annual youth exchange programme with the State of Palestine in\u00a02017, he said, noting that the number of young people participating in the programme doubled from\u00a050 to\u00a0100 in\u00a02018.\u00a0 As part of a development partnership, 17\u00a0agreements have been signed between India and the State of Palestine in such fields as agriculture and women\u2019s empowerment.\u00a0 He went on to state that India offered approximately $70\u00a0million in financial support and project assistance for reconstruction in Gaza, a specialty hospital in Bethlehem and the India-Palestine Techno Park in Ramallah, among other projects.\u00a0 Welcoming UNRWA\u2019s efforts to enhance efficiency, he said austerity is not the only path to delivering on its mandates, calling instead for adequate, sustainable and predictable funding for the Agency and the allocation of additional resources from the regular budget.<\/p>\n

MOHD AINI ATAN (Malaysia<\/u>), associating himself with the\u00a0OIC and the Non-Aligned Movement, cited the Commissioner-General\u2019s report, expressing concern over the deteriorating situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, and the impact of armed violence on safe access to crucial agency services, including health care and education.\u00a0 Reiterating his country\u2019s unwavering support for UNRWA\u2019s role in providing assistance, protection and advocacy for more than 5\u00a0million Palestine refugees, he called for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on the pre\u20111967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital.\u00a0 He noted that the Government of Malaysia has provided assistance to the people of Palestine, in particular for the reconstruction of Palestinian communities.<\/p>\n

INA HAGNININGTYAS KRISNAMURTHI (Indonesia<\/u>), associating herself with the Non-Aligned Movement, said the report reaffirmed the continuing despair of the Palestine refugees and the immense obstacles confronting UNRWA.\u00a0 \u201cWe should never use refugees as bargaining chips on a political chessboard,\u201d she said, emphasizing that the Â鶹APP must ensure adequate, sustainable and predictable funding for the Agency because the refugee matter is a global problem.\u00a0 Palestinians should not be deprived of the right of return simply because the Â鶹APP cannot enforce its own decisions, she stressed, while highlighting Indonesia\u2019s increased contribution to the Agency\u2019s work as well as its humanitarian efforts, including establishing the Indonesian Cardiac Centre in Gaza.<\/p>\n

YAO SHAOJUN (China<\/u>) said UNRWA promotes peace and stems the rise of extremism in the region.\u00a0 Its humanitarian programmes have been enhanced by efficiency reforms, but it remains challenged by enormous practical difficulties, including the lack of adequate funding.\u00a0 Calling upon all parties to continue intensifying support for UNRWA, he noted that China has itself contributed consistently for 40\u00a0years while also providing support for relevant relief projects in host countries. \u00a0He said that in\u00a02018, China made a $2\u00a0million contribution, in addition to its regular donation, and will continue to provide support to the best of its ability.\u00a0 Noting that the current instability in the region is exacerbating the suffering of the Palestine refugee population, he called on all parties to support the efforts of the host countries bearing an outsized burden, emphasizing further that Israel should cooperate with international aid efforts by lifting the blockade on Gaza.<\/p>\n

IBRAHIM MODIBBO UMAR (Nigeria<\/u>) said the alarming humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the near collapse of its infrastructure due to Israel\u2019s blockade should be a matter of grave concern to the international community.\u00a0 Calling for an end to the blockade and respect for Palestinian freedom of movement, he urged the parties concerned to work closely with the Â鶹APP in the pursuit of peace and a two-State solution.\u00a0 However, that will be impossible without ending the expansion of settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, he emphasized, encouraging Israel to freeze and reverse those activities in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.\u00a0 Palestinian leaders, in turn, must return to the negotiating table, forge unity and deal with militancy, he said, stressing that violence and unilateral actions will not resolve the long- drawn-out conflict.<\/p>\n

ASMA AL-HAMMADI (United Arab Emirates<\/u>), associating herself with the \u201cGroup of 77\u201d developing countries and China and the OIC, emphasized UNRWA\u2019s important role in preserving regional security and stability and called for assistance to address its funding gap.\u00a0 Describing her country as one of the Agency\u2019s main donors, she reported that the United Arab Emirates contributed more than $173\u00a0million in\u00a02016 and\u00a02017.\u00a0 As part of its overseas assistance policy, the Government is focusing on the rights of children to education, she said, adding that in\u00a02018 it provided a further $50\u00a0million to support UNRWA\u2019s education programmes, while also supporting health care and providing job opportunities.\u00a0 Moreover, the United Arab Emirates provided $2\u00a0million in February to ensure the flow of fuel and electricity to hospitals in Gaza, she noted.<\/p>\n

HUSNI MUSTAFA YAGOUB HUSNI (Sudan<\/u>), associating himself with the Non-Aligned Movement and the\u00a0OIC, highlighted the suffering of the Palestinian people caused by the violence, demolitions and restrictions imposed by the occupying Power.\u00a0 That situation has been exacerbated because of the arbitrary reduction in support for\u00a0UNRWA, which has not been able to cover costs related to social services, he said, noting that the situation is affecting regional stability.\u00a0 \u201cDepriving children of education is an investment in hatred, war and extremism,\u201d he warned, stressing that there can be no justification for preventing the delivery of assistance to defenceless people.\u00a0 The bleak situation will inspire the Palestinian people to stand their ground and continue their fight to achieve their goals, especially their right to return to their own homeland, he stressed, emphasizing that all such challenges have unified nations.<\/p>\n

ANDREY LISTOV (Russian Federation<\/u>) said it is a sad state of affairs when the United States pulls its contribution to UNRWA, which helps in stabilizing the region.\u00a0 The Agency has carried out balanced and impartial work since its founding and has avoided politicization in circumstances of conflict, he noted.\u00a0 The Russian Federation contributed $10\u00a0million to UNRWA, he reported, emphasizing that, as a member of the Security Council, his country is keen to develop a peace process and facilitate direct negotiation between the relevant parties.\u00a0 UNRWA must continue to provide assistance to Palestine refugees until a just solution is found, he said.<\/p>\n

BERNARDITO CLEOPAS AUZA, Permanent Observer for the\u00a0Holy See<\/u>, said UNRWA faces its largest funding shortfall ever, urging the international community to maintain its solidarity and demonstrate greater sensitivity to the plight of refugees across the region.\u00a0 It is concerning that some would like to limit refugee status to those who fled in\u00a01948, excluding their descendants through the paternal line, he noted, emphasizing that such a restrictive understanding will deprive the descendants, who remain stateless, of any claim to support.\u00a0 The international community has a grave responsibility to facilitate the settlement of the millions of refugees concerned, he said, reaffirming the Holy\u00a0See\u2019s unwavering support for a two-State solution as the only viable manner by which to address the extended statelessness of Palestinians.<\/p>\n

Closing Remarks<\/u><\/p>\n

PIERRE KR\u00c4HENB\u00dcHL, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, thanked the Committee for their recognition and support, also noting the remarkable support mobilized in the face of the Agency\u2019s dire financial shortfall.\u00a0 Emphasizing the exclusively humanitarian nature of the Agency\u2019s work, he said UNRWA is not part of the political discussion but is focused on helping human beings in severe circumstances.\u00a0 Responding to suggestions that the Agency determines its own mandate, he reiterated that it functions on a mandate agreed by Member States through the General Assembly and any suggestion to the contrary is misleading.<\/p>\n

The suggestion that Palestine refugees are unique under international law as the only group enjoying that status as descendants is a misrepresentation, he continued, stressing that under international law, the children of refugees and their descendants are also refugees until a durable solution to their situation is found.\u00a0 That designation is widely accepted by the international community, he added.\u00a0 UNRWA exists as an illustration that a refugee community can receive meaningful support that preserves opportunities and hope, he said, describing the Agency\u2019s continuing existence as a reminder of the abysmal failure by the international community and relevant parties to find a lasting solution to the conflict.\u00a0 When a just and lasting peace is established, UNRWA can hand over its commitments, he said.<\/p>\n

He went on to underline that Palestine refugees are not \u201cso-called\u201d refugees, pointing out that even if UNRWA no longer exists, the refugees will still exist under international law, and some other entity will have to take care of their needs.\u00a0 The laws applying to armed conflict impose responsibility on all, he stressed.\u00a0 Reiterating UNRWA\u2019s gratitude for the collective support it has received this year, he reported that he received expressions of intent from several States prepared to pledge support for a multi-year period.\u00a0 UNRWA is an invaluable investment, he said, noting the Agency\u2019s contributions to the institutional backbone of the Middle East.\u00a0 It has built a set of institutions that can be handed over to an independent Palestinian State, he noted.<\/p>\n

Right of reply<\/u><\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Israel<\/u>, speaking in exercise of the right of reply, expressed appreciation for the humanitarian assistance extended by UNRWA to Palestinians.\u00a0 He went on to outline the history of Israel\u2019s statehood and of the wars fought between that country and its Arab neighbours, emphasizing the need to reconsider the \u201critual\u201d and traditional blaming of Israel for the conflict.\u00a0 Moreover, the approach to the Palestine refugee problem must change, he said, observing that the right of return is presented as the only solution to the problem.\u00a0 Other organizations, like UNHCR, are dedicated to alleviating the suffering of refugees by offering other solutions, he said describing the claim to a right of return as a mistake that plays into the hands of those who wish to perpetuate the conflict.\u00a0 \u201cWe haven\u2019t seen any goodwill on behalf of the Palestinians to negotiate with Israel,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Noting that decisions in the General Assembly are made by a majority, he said such democracy is misleading because the decisions taken do not support peace in the Middle East.\u00a0 In that context, he said General Assembly resolution\u00a0194\u00a0(III) is not legally binding and does not give Palestine refugees the right of return.\u00a0 The Arab interpretation of one article of that text granting Palestinians such a unique right is a subjective and invalid one, planting false hopes for millions of people, he emphasized.\u00a0 Reiterating that the right of return does not exist under international law, he said repatriation is a policy preference but does not constitute a right.\u00a0 UNHCR works to resettle refugees in third countries, especially in cases of ongoing conflict, he observed, noting that UNRWA\u2019s mandate does not make it possible to resettle Palestine refugees.\u00a0 He called upon Palestinians to understand that the refugee problem cannot be solved by the right of return, stressing:\u00a0 \u201cThere can be no return to Israel.\u201d<\/p>\n

An observer for the\u00a0State of Palestine<\/u>, also speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said that a national narrative that distorts and negates history is called \u201cpropaganda\u201d and should have no place in discourse.\u00a0 Recalling that Palestinians were driven from their homes in\u00a01947\u20118, she said they were either forcibly expelled or fled in fear of the killings and destruction perpetrated by Jewish militias.\u00a0 Their uprooting was deliberate, as was the prevention of their return, she said, emphasizing that Palestinians should have been able to return to their homes and lands after the hostilities ceased.\u00a0 However, Israel wanted the land without its people, she added, noting that it is a well-known fact.\u00a0 \u201cThis is ethnic cleansing,\u201d she emphasized, noting that it is fully documented by Israeli historians.<\/p>\n

She went on to underline that the right of return is not a claim of the Palestinian people but their right, just as it is for any refugee.\u00a0 That right has been reaffirmed and recalled more than 150\u00a0times in international legislation, she pointed out, stressing that General Assembly resolution 194\u00a0(III) does matter and Palestine refugees do have rights.\u00a0 \u201cStop dehumanizing the Palestinian people and stop disparaging the rest of the international community that has reaffirmed their rights and these laws over and over again,\u201d she demanded.\u00a0 The situation is not a zero-sum game, she said, reiterating that Palestinians have legitimate rights, and that their leadership has been fully committed to peace for more than a quarter-century, since the Oslo\u00a0Accords.\u00a0 \u201cWe await an Israeli partner to achieve that peace,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

The representative of\u00a0Israel<\/u>\u00a0said the Palestinians have double-track demands\u00a0\u2014 on statehood and the right of return.\u00a0 While Israel accepts a two-State solution, it cannot agree to the right of return, he emphasized.\u00a0 The obstacle to peace lies in the disagreement among Palestinian leadership, he said, calling upon Palestinians to speak in one voice, with one leader, to negotiate peace.\u00a0 The right of return would mean the cessation of Israel, he added.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For information media. Not an official record.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SEVENTY-THIRD SESSION,\u00a025TH MEETING (AM) GA\/SPD\/685 12 NOVEMBER 2018 fran\u00e7ais Commissioner-General Defends Humanitarian Nature of Agency\u2019s Work, Reinforces Palestinian Descendants\u2019 Right to Refugee Status Delegates called today for sustainable financing to secure the future of the Â鶹APP Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u00a0(UNRWA), also urging enhanced efficiency and reduced costs […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":172,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"template-page.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[],"document-category":[2433,1329],"document-source":[5618],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[1945,1745],"entity":[1729],"document-language":[6542,6541],"class_list":["post-167221","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","document-category-french-text","document-category-press-release","document-source-general-assembly-fourth-committee-special-political-and-decolonization","document-subject-assistance","document-subject-refugees-and-displaced-persons","entity-united-nations-system","document-language-english","document-language-french"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/167221","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/167221\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=167221"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=167221"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=167221"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=167221"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=167221"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=167221"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=167221"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=167221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}