Stop funding United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), more than 2 million people are dependent on Gaza alone, It would be a “mistake” in terms of “joint efforts for peace and security” Not only for the short-term assistance it offers to the people in the Middle East, but also because it is the only voice promoting peace human rights, gender equality and one critical thinking It is in an area ruled by Hamas for almost two decades. The warning was made this Monday by UNRWA’s commissioner general. Philippe LazzariniAfter meeting European cooperation ministers in Brussels at the invitation of EU diplomacy chief Josep Borrell.
Lazzarini argues that UNRWA has gone much further than meeting the most basic needs in terms of food and health. It also guarantees education for thousands of “deeply traumatized” boys and girls who will have to return to the educational environment as soon as the war is over, so cutting that avenue would be like shooting yourself in the foot. “The longer we wait, the more we will sow hatred and resentment in the future. And this is certainly not a recipe that will promote lasting peace and stability in the region” because “a new administration is not emerging in the Gaza Strip” that will be able to provide services that many children can access. A diagnosis with which the head of European diplomacy agrees.
“Cutting support to UNRWA would mean cuts to vital services for millions of people in need. a major humanitarian disaster This is a situation that must be avoided for Gaza. “Not only because it is a humanitarian necessity, but also because it could have dangerous consequences for the stability of the region and affect the Europeans as well,” said Borrell, reminding that UNRWA provides assistance not only in Gaza but also in Israel. Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank. This means: “If the agency disappears, devastating effect There are 5.6 million people without a state (…) The organization should be closed only if there is no Palestinian refugee problem” because “if we cancel UNRWA, the problem will still exist, but it will be worse,” warns the European politician, who admits: 27 member states There are differences of opinion, but “the majority understand that there is no alternative but to support the Palestinian people.”
Research continues
Despite this split, the agency is confident of receiving this award Next payment of 82 million Funding is required to resume operations at the beginning of March. Many EU countries announced the suspension of aid. Israeli accusations 13 employees who have already been laid off by the agency Hamas’ October 7 attacks This triggered Israel’s attack. As Lazzarini explains, internal investigation It continues in the New York barracks, and the Institute for a Free Scandinavia has launched an initiative. revisionUnder the leadership of the former French Minister of Foreign Affairs Catherine ColonnaIt is one of the internal control mechanisms whose first results may be ready within a month. Meanwhile, the final report will arrive on April 20.
As the situation became clear, the head of UNRWA warned that the organization operates as follows: “extremely difficult” environmentwith increasingly more restrictions (frozen accounts or increasingly shorter visas for staff) and “a “a deep sense of panic and anxiety” Due to Israel’s military attack, activity was prevented for the first time at the Rafah border gate with “minimum” protection last Sunday. “Because we have no local police, our trucks and convoys have been looted by hundreds of youths. The last protection we had left to maintain a minimum level of civil order is no longer useful, as many have been killed in recent days. (…) The next few days will tell us whether we can continue to operate in an extraordinarily difficult environment “It will show,” he said.
Evacuate to where? To the moon?
Regarding the evacuation of civilians from the Strip, requested by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Lazzarini made it clear that he did not know of a safe place in his four visits to the region. “Evacuation? Where? To the moon?”Borrell ironically emphasized that what the international community should think about if it believes “too many people have been killed” is this: stop arms supplies To Israel. “I do not pretend to be responsible for the foreign policy of the United States. I am tired of the foreign policy of the European Union, but let’s be reasonable. President (United States Joe) Biden said: Recalling that the United States has already taken a measure, Borrell said, “This is not proportionate. “If you believe that too many people have been killed, perhaps you should provide fewer weapons to prevent so many people from being killed,” he warned. A similar decision was taken during the war against Lebanon in 2006.
“The same thing is happening today. Everyone will go to Tel Aviv and beg them not to kill so many people, but Netanyahu doesn’t listen to anyone.”, criticized. “If the international community believes that this was a massacre and that they killed a lot of people, perhaps they should consider the supply of weapons,” he added, citing as an example the Dutch court’s decision instructing the Dutch government. The Netherlands will stop exporting F35 parts to Israel.