UNRWA Chief: Israel Aims to Eliminate Agency and Refugee Issue

Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), stated on June 11, 2024, that Israel's actions, including the seizure of an UNRWA training center in Jerusalem, are part of a broader effort to eliminate the agency and the issue of Palestinian refugees. Lazzarini described the seizure of the center, which had been operating for over 70 years, as a significant escalation. The agency confirmed that its staff were forcibly removed from the premises, and the building was subsequently sealed and painted with Israeli flags. This incident follows months of increasing pressure and accusations from Israel against UNRWA, particularly after allegations surfaced in January 2024 that some UNRWA staff members were involved in the October 7th attacks on Israel. These allegations led to a significant reduction in funding from several donor countries, including the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom, although many have since resumed or are considering resuming funding after an independent review found no evidence to support the claims and highlighted the agency's commitment to neutrality. Lazzarini emphasized that the seizure of the training center represents a new and alarming phase in Israel's campaign to dismantle UNRWA's operations in East Jerusalem. He further articulated that the ultimate goal appears to be the removal of UNRWA from the region and, by extension, the eradication of the Palestinian refugee question itself. The agency provides essential services, including education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid, to approximately 5.9 million registered Palestinian refugees across the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. The potential elimination of UNRWA would have devastating consequences for these vulnerable populations, leaving them without critical support systems. Lazzarini warned that such an outcome would have profound implications for regional stability and the prospects for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He called for the international community to take a firm stance against these actions and to ensure the protection of UNRWA's mandate and its vital work in supporting Palestinian refugees. The agency continues to operate under immense strain, facing both funding challenges and direct obstruction from Israeli authorities in its efforts to deliver aid and services.