Chris Gunness, a former Spokesman for the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugee (UNRWA) has said that Israel’s criticism of the UNRWA is politically motivated and based on false accusations.
His comments came amid an effort by Israel to disband the UN agency.
“This attack is based on a lie. It’s dishonest,” Chris Gunness told a news agency.
“If you get rid of UNRWA you suddenly get rid of the 5.9 million refugees registered with UNRWA,” he added.
He emphasized that if the agency is disbanded, Palestinians would lose “inalienable rights” such as healthcare, education, and the right to self-determination.
Gunness accused Israel of working to eradicate the organisation to the detriment of the Palestinian people.
Also, UNRWA Head, Philippe Lazzarini stated that when a Palestinian state that can deliver education, healthcare and social support is established, UNRWA’s role will be finished.
“The agency exists because a political solution does not,” said Lazzarini.
The head of the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees accused the international community of “containing” rather than resolving the more than 75-year-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Lazzarini warned that Israel’s effort to dismantle it while a humanitarian disaster is unfolding in the bombarded and besieged Gaza Strip would have devastating consequences if successful.
“In the short-term, it will deepen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and accelerate the onset of famine. In the longer-term, it will jeopardise the transition from ceasefire to ‘day after’ by depriving a traumatized population of essential services.
“It will make nearly impossible the formidable task of bringing half a million deeply distressed girls and boys back to learning. Failing to deliver on education will condemn an entire generation to despair – fuelling anger, resentment, and endless cycles of violence.”
Philippe Lazzarini
“A political solution cannot succeed in such a scenario,” he added.
Lazzarini appealed for protection for the UNRWA.
“Across the border, food and clean water wait. But UNRWA is denied permission to deliver this aid and save lives,” Lazzarini said.
“This outrage is occurring despite consecutive orders by the International Court of Justice to increase the flow of aid into Gaza – which can be done if there is sufficient political will,” he added, calling on the council to “make a difference.”
Lazzarini said that while UNRWA’s requests to deliver aid to northern Gaza are repeatedly denied, its premises and employees in Gaza are being targeted with a total of 178 UNRWA personnel killed since the start of the war.
Israel got no support for getting rid of UNRWA at a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. All 15 council members including the United States, Israel’s closest ally, voiced support for the agency along with Arab and European representatives.
Palestine’s UN Ambassador, Riyad Mansour, told reporters after the meeting, “Wasn’t today’s debate impressive? Everyone except one [backed UNRWA].”
Harrowing Accounts Of UNRWA Workers’ Mistreatment
Moreover, Philippe Lazzarini told the UN security council that “UNRWA personnel detained by Israeli security forces” had “shared harrowing accounts of mistreatment and torture in detention.”
Lazzarini demanded an independent investigation and “accountability for the blatant disregard for the protected status of humanitarian workers, operations, and facilities under international law.”
“To do otherwise would set a dangerous precedent and compromise humanitarian work around the world,” he added.
Lazzarini also told the security council that calls for the UN agency’s closure are “not about adherence to humanitarian principles”.
Instead, he said, the calls are “about ending the refugee status of millions of Palestinians.”
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