From the Liveblog of
Sunday, January 28, 2024
In defense of UNRWA, Jordan’s FM says suspension of funds is ‘collective punishment’
Gianluca Pacchiani is the Arab affairs reporter for The Times of Israel
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi comes out in defense of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, after a string of countries have suspended their funding to the body following accusations that several of its staff were involved in the Hamas-led October 7 onslaught on southern Israel.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Safadi writes that “UNRWA is the lifeline for over 2m Palestinians facing starvation in Gaza. It shouldn’t be collectively punished upon allegations against 12 persons out of its 13,000 staff.”
“UNRWA acted responsibly and began an investigation. We urge countries that suspended funds to reverse [their] decision,” Safadi adds, echoing a call made yesterday by UNRWA’s Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini.
UNRWA provides services, such as education and health, in ten Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan – the only Arab country where Palestinians have been granted citizenship. According to the agency’s data, only about 18% of the country’s two million Palestinians and their descendants still live in camps.
There are today 58 designated refugee camps across the areas in which UNRWA operates, in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
UNRWA is the lifeline for over 2m Palestinians facing starvation in Gaza. It should’t be collectively punished upon allegations against 12 persons out of its 13000 staff. UNRWA acted responsibly & began an investigation. We urge countries that suspended funds to reverse decision.
— Ayman Safadi (@AymanHsafadi) January 28, 2024
Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz has said the body “must be replaced with agencies dedicated to genuine peace and development” and has called for the resignation of the agency’s head Lazzarini.
