30/12/2024
Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Head of the Department of Refugee Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Abu Houli, welcomes the French Deputy Consul in Jerusalem, Mr. Quentin Lepinot, in his office in Ramallah, in a meeting to discuss the latest developments related to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the Knesset’s project decisions targeting it, and the conditions of the Palestinian camps.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Abu Holi welcomed Mr. Lepinot, stressing his appreciation for the continued French role in supporting UNRWA, the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution. He praised France’s position in its dissatisfaction and deep concern over the laws issued by the Israeli Knesset that target UNRWA, prohibit its work, and affect the immunities and privileges it enjoys as a UN agency. These laws contradict international legitimacy resolutions, specifically the United Nations Charter, the resolutions of the General Assembly and the Security Council, and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice.
Dr. Ahmed Abu Holi, the French Deputy Consul, was also briefed on the disastrous effects of the Knesset decisions, which threaten the existence of UNRWA and deepen the suffering of Palestinian refugees.
Dr. Abu Holi praised France's supportive role for UNRWA, and stressed the need to secure sustainable international funding to ensure the continuity of UNRWA's work, calling on France to lead international efforts to urge the international community to continue supporting UNRWA, and to continue pressuring Israel through the European Union and the international community to prevent the implementation of these decisions that will come into effect at the end of next January.
Dr. Ahmed Abu Holi stressed that what is happening in Gaza is a real catastrophe, as the residents of the Strip are suffering from an unprecedented war of genocide in the history of the region. He pointed out that the Israeli war in the Gaza Strip, especially in the north, has become a full-fledged war of genocide, in light of international silence, which has encouraged the occupation to continue its aggression and crimes. He also added that the Israeli war is witnessing blatant violations against the Palestinians, as happened recently in Kamal Adwan Hospital.
Dr. Abu Holi explained that targeting UNRWA in Gaza comes within the framework of the Israeli war on the Palestinian people, as 70% of UNRWA facilities in the Strip were destroyed, 258 of its employees and their families were killed, in addition to the killing and wounding of thousands of displaced persons inside shelters. He stressed that this is part of the Israeli goals to end UNRWA, which represents the lifeline for Palestinian refugees, specifically in the Gaza Strip, in light of the genocidal war.
He pointed out that about 1.6 million Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip depend primarily on UNRWA services, where about 300,000 students benefit from education services, and 13,000 employees receive their salaries from UNRWA. He stressed that any cessation of UNRWA services in Gaza means opening a new front in the war against Palestinian refugees.
For his part, the French Vice Consul, Mr. Quentin Lepinot, stressed his country's continued support for UNRWA, as his country doubled its annual contribution to UNRWA in 2024, given the increasing needs of refugees, in light of the ongoing conflict, and the exacerbation of the enormous challenges facing UNRWA. The Vice Consul also confirmed that France will continue to support UNRWA in 2025.
He considered this support an embodiment of France's commitment to Palestinian refugees, in accordance with international resolutions that guarantee their rights. He also pointed out that France is fully aware of the vital role played by UNRWA in providing basic services to Palestinian refugees, especially in light of the increasing challenges in the Palestinian camps.
The difficult living conditions in the Palestinian camps in light of the ongoing Israeli aggression were also discussed. The urgent need to improve health and education services and infrastructure in the camps was also discussed. Abu Houli praised French development projects, such as twinning agreements between French cities and Palestinian camps, referring to the latest of these agreements between the municipality of Restrona and the Nour Shams camp. These agreements are an important step towards strengthening international solidarity with Palestinian refugees.
The meeting concluded with an emphasis on the importance of enhancing cooperation between the two sides to support UNRWA in facing current challenges, and to pressure the international community to reject Israeli decisions that threaten its existence. It was agreed to follow up on the recommendations and implement them to ensure the continuity of UNRWA's work, in line with the international community's obligations towards the rights of Palestinian refugees.
