Dr. Ahmad Abu Holi, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and head of the Refugee Affairs Department, received the French Deputy Consul in Jerusalem, Mr. Quentin Lopinot, at his office in Ramallah. The meeting addressed the latest developments concerning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Israeli Knesset legislative proposals targeting the agency, and the conditions in Palestinian refugee camps.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Abu Holi welcomed Mr. Lopinot, expressing his appreciation for France’s continuous role in supporting UNRWA, the Palestinian cause, and the two-state solution. He commended France’s position of disapproval and deep concern over Israeli Knesset laws targeting UNRWA, restricting its operations, and undermining its immunities and privileges as a UN agency, and stressing that these laws contradict international legitimacy, particularly the UN Charter, and decisions of the UN General Assembly, Security Council, and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.
Dr. Abu Holi informed the French Deputy Consul of the catastrophic consequences of these Knesset decisions, which threaten UNRWA’s existence and deepen the suffering of Palestinian refugees. He appreciated France’s role in supporting UNRWA and emphasized the necessity for sustainable international funding to ensure UNRWA’s continuity and urged France to lead international efforts to encourage global support for the agency. He also called on France to keep pressuring Israel, through the European Union and international community, to prevent the implementation of these decisions, set to take effect by the end of January.
Dr. Abu Holi described the situation in Gaza as a real catastrophe, where residents face an unprecedented genocide in the region’s history. He referred to Israel’s war in northern Gaza as a full-scale genocide, encouraged by international silence, which emboldens the occupation to continue its aggression and crimes. He also highlighted severe violations against Palestinians, including a recent attack on Kamal Adwan Hospital.
Dr. Abu Holi explained that targeting UNRWA in Gaza is part of Israel’s war against the Palestinian people. He stated that 70% of UNRWA facilities in Gaza have been destroyed, and 258 UNRWA employees and their families have been killed, along with thousands of displaced individuals in shelters. He stressed that this is part of Israel’s purpose to terminate UNRWA, which serves as a lifeline for Palestinian refugees, particularly in Gaza amid the ongoing genocide.
He pointed out that approximately 1.6 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza depend heavily on UNRWA’s services, including around 300,000 students receiving education and 13,000 employees paid by the agency. Any cessation of UNRWA’s operations in Gaza, he warned, would open a new front in the war against Palestinian refugees.
For his part, French Deputy Consul Quentin Lopinot affirmed his country’s ongoing support for UNRWA. France doubled its annual contribution to UNRWA in 2024, recognizing the increased needs of refugees amid the ongoing conflict and UNRWA’s massive challenges. Lopinot stated that France would continue supporting the agency in 2025, underscoring this as a manifestation of its commitment to Palestinian refugees in line with international resolutions that safeguard their rights. He acknowledged UNRWA’s crucial role in providing essential services to Palestinian refugees, particularly amid mounting challenges in refugee camps.
The meeting also addressed the dire living conditions in Palestinian camps due to the ongoing Israeli aggression and the urgent need to improve healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Dr. Abu Holi praised France’s developmental projects, such as twinning agreements between French cities and Palestinian camps, highlighting the recent agreement between the municipality of Ristrona and Nur Shams camp. These agreements, he noted, are vital steps toward strengthening international solidarity with Palestinian refugees.
The meeting concluded with an emphasis on enhancing cooperation between both sides to support UNRWA in addressing current challenges and to press the international community to reject Israeli decisions threatening the agency’s existence. It was agreed to follow up on the recommendations and implement them to ensure UNRWA’s continuity in line with the international community’s commitments to Palestinian refugees’ rights.
