The future of the United Nations body responsible for the welfare of Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, looks more secure after a report by ex-French diplomat Catherine Colonna, launched on Monday. Colonna’s independent research refutes claims made by Israel that Unrwa staff were involved in a deadly raid by Hamas from Gaza into Israel in October. The raid allegedly resulted in 1,200 fatalities and the kidnapping of 250 individuals, according to Israel’s numbers. The United Nations tasked Colonna with this review, highlighting the irreplaceable role of Unrwa in terms of humanitarian aid and the advancement of Palestinians’ socio-economic conditions. The report’s support for Unrwa was unambiguous.
Earlier this year, Unrwa faced a significant threat as 16 benefactors withdrew vital aid following allegations from Israel that 12 out of 13,000 Unrwa Gaza employees played a role in the attacks on the southern region of Israel. Following these allegations, Philippe Lazzarini, Unrwa’s Commissioner General, swiftly sacked the individuals named by Israel. Since then, Israel has continued to level fresh allegations against a large number of Unrwa staff, urging donors to withdraw funding.
The major contribution of $343.9 million (€321 million) from the USA to Unrwa’s annual budget of $1.63 billion is on hold until March 2025. However, 10 of the 18 donor nations that initially suspended aid have resumed their contributions. Additionally, organizations like the European Union and countries like Ireland have raised their donations to fill the gap and new benefactors have stepped up. As a result, Unrwa funding is secured until the end of June.
Despite facing constant financial struggles since its foundation in December 1949, Unrwa has remained operational in Gaza, East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. While Israel has consistently called for the dissolution of Unrwa, the body has become an imperative for stability especially as the number of refugees skyrocketed from 750,000 to 5.9 million amidst wars and economic downfall throughout the area. The controversy surrounding Unrwa persists, with Israel claiming that the organization fuels the conflict by recognizing descendants of Palestinians initially displaced by the 1948 war as refugees.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has emulated a similar protocol. The right for Palestinians to return to their homes at the earliest appropriate time has been established by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 194, established in December 1948. Unrwa, founded in 1949, was designed to aid Palestinians until they could return home, a mandate Israel rejected.
Despite being hosted by Arab nations, Palestinian refugees have chosen not to assimilate, driven by a deep-seated bond to their homeland, punctuated by their unique history, culture, traditions and Arabic dialects. This desire for recognition and sovereignty birthed the idea of a two-state solution, accepted by the global community. However, until this goal is realised, Palestinian refugees must depend on Unrwa; no other assortment of relief organisations can replicate its comprehensive infrastructure and personnel.
In response to Colonna’s review suggestions, Unrwa needs to implement novel reforms that will bolster the neutrality of its politically charged employees, especially when Israel continues its Gaza onslaught and maintains its clampdown in the presently occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.