US stopping aid to UNRWA inhumane and reckless

The decision by the United States administration to stop all aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is inhumane and reckless, said Hanan Ashrawi on Saturday on behalf of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

"The US administration's decision to terminate all funding to UNRWA is a cruel and irresponsible move targeting the most vulnerable segment of Palestinian society,” she said.

“The Palestinian refugees are already the victims who have lost their homes, livelihoods and security as a result of the creation of the state of Israel, and once again, they are being victimized by the US administration in support of Israel's decades-long military occupation and impunity.”

Ashrawi said UNRWA has provided the 5.3 million Palestinian refugees residing in 58 refugee camps in Occupied Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria “with a sense of hope and security through its vital services, support and opportunities for work, growth and development. It also provides protection for the Palestinian refugees to ensure that their 'rights under international law are protected and promoted’.”

The PLO official warned that the real outcome of what she described as the US administration's latest “unilateral and reckless policy” is “the destabilization of the entire region and the creation of unimaginable suffering and hardship for the Palestinian refugees.”

“With such a decision, the US is doing Israel's bidding and destroying the very foundations of peace and stability by taking all permanent status issues 'off the table,’ including the right of return for refugees and occupied Jerusalem,” said Ashrawi.

“Until the plight of the Palestinian refugees is resolved in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions, including the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194 (III), we call on all members of the international community to shoulder their responsibilities towards Palestinian refugees and provide the necessary support and financial assistance UNRWA needs to fulfill its mandate," concluded the PLO official.