Date: January 27, 2025
Dr. Abu Holi Discusses with Acting Spanish Consul Luis Rodríguez The Financial Situation of UNRWA and Israeli laws Targeting It
• UNRWA faces an
unknown
fate as Israel insists on proceeding with the implementation of the two laws at the end of the current January.
Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Head of the Department of Refugee Affairs, Dr. Ahmad Abu Holi , discussed today with the Acting Spanish Consul Luis Bertosa Rodríguez the financial situation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the repercussions of implementing the two Israeli laws that target UNRWA’s activities in occupied East Jerusalem. These laws aim to sever communication with the agency and revoke all diplomatic privileges and immunities it has as an international organization. The laws are set to come into effect at the end of this month.
During his meeting with Rodríguez at the Department of Refugee Affairs headquarters in Ramallah, Dr. Abu Holi highlighted the dangers posed by these Israeli laws to UNRWA’s programs and services provided to Palestinian refugees, particularly in the refugee camps in occupied Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. He noted that the laws aim to undermine UNRWA’s mandate and weaken its role in providing essential services to Palestinian refugees, which constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law, the United Nations Charter, and relevant UN resolutions.
He emphasized that UNRWA faces an uncertain fate as Israel persists in implementing these laws by the end of this month.
Dr. Abu Holi also addressed UNRWA’s financial situation, pointing out that the agency is experiencing a severe financial crisis. He added that 2025 will be a challenging year for UNRWA, especially with the continued U.S. funding cuts, Sweden’s announcement to halt its funding for the agency in 2025, and the decision of four major donor countries to reduce their contributions. These developments, he warned, will negatively impact UNRWA’s ability to fulfill its mandate and threaten its ability to continue providing services to more than six million Palestinian refugees in its five areas of operation.
Dr. Abu Holi rejected any attempt to undermine UNRWA’s legal status and the mandate granted to it under UN Resolution 302 by transferring its responsibilities to other international organizations or host governments. He affirmed that UNRWA’s work must continue until a just solution to the refugee issue is achieved, in accordance with UN Resolution 194.
He also discussed the miserable humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip and the massive horrifying destruction inflicted on Palestinian refugee camps, stressing the importance of facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid and essential supplies to the region following the ceasefire.
Dr. Abu Holi commended Spain’s supportive stance towards UNRWA, noting its decision to double its funding in 2024 and increase it further in 2025. He also praised Spain’s endorsement of the International Court of Justice ruling, which calls on Israel to prevent genocide, as well as its support for President Mahmoud Abbas’s two-state solution vision through an international peace conference. He pointed out that Spain was among the countries that did not freeze their funding last January, despite Israeli allegations of UNRWA staff involvement in the events of October 7.
He added that Spain played a remarkable role in leading the Advisory Commission meetings during its presidency in 2024. Spain successfully coordinated with Lebanon, the chair of the Subcommittee, to issue significant recommendations to support UNRWA, gaining the consensus of all Advisory Commission members and observers during the November meetings.
Dr. Abu Holi stressed the need for Spain to leverage its influential role within the European Union to urge Sweden to reconsider its decision to cut funding for UNRWA. He also called on Spain to work with EU member states to pressure Israel to prevent the implementation of its laws targeting UNRWA.
He underscored the importance of international political and financial support for UNRWA and the necessity for donor countries to fulfill their financial commitments and pledges. He also called for establishing a financial safety net to enable the agency to carry out its mandate under UN Resolution 302.
Dr. Abu Holi urged the United Nations, member states, and international organizations to rise to the challenge posed by the Israeli laws and escalatory measures targeting UNRWA. He called for immediate intervention to ensure these laws are not implemented on the ground.
For his part, Acting Spanish Consul Luis Bertosa Rodríguez reaffirmed Spain’s steadfast position in supporting the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people. He expressed his country’s commitment to supporting UNRWA and highlighted the importance of international efforts to address the agency’s financial crisis and ensure the continuity of its vital services.
