Date: March 28, 2025
UN Decision to Withdraw Its International Staff, Including UNRWA Employees, is a Dangerous Precedent with Serious Repercussions
Dr. Abu Holi Calls on the UN and UNRWA to Reverse Their Decision to Withdraw Their International Staff
Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Head of the Refugee Affairs Department, Dr. Ahmed Abu Holi, called on the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, and the UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, to reverse their decision to withdraw their international staff from their areas of operation in the West Bank, occupied East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. He pointed out that this decision corresponds with Israeli laws prohibiting UNRWA’s activities and preventing its international and local staff from working.
Dr. Abu Holi stressed that the decision to withdraw international staff does not take into account the dire humanitarian conditions in the region, especially amid the genocide, starvation, and displacement campaign carried out by the ongoing Israeli occupation in Gaza since October 7, 2023, as well as the Israeli military aggression against refugee camps in the West Bank.
He added that this decision is a hasty step and a dangerous precedent that must be corrected, particularly since it absolves the UN of its responsibilities toward the 1.9 million Palestinians residing in shelters managed by UNRWA and international organizations in Gaza. These people rely on UNRWA’s services and life-saving humanitarian aid as Israel continues to use starvation as a weapon to force their displacement—an act that constitutes a humanitarian crime and a violation of international law, the UN Charter, and relevant resolutions.
He explained that the presence of international staff serves as a protective factor for Palestinians who have taken refuge in shelters under the UN flag. He questioned what kind of protection the UN would provide without its international staff, asking whether civilians’ needs could be met through remote work and whether local employees could operate without international protection.
Dr. Abu Holi warned that Israel may commit new crimes in the absence of international staff, who serve as global witnesses to Israeli violations in international courts.
He emphasized that the UN Secretary-General and the UNRWA Commissioner-General must act urgently to open crossings and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid, which Israel has blocked since March 1st. He urged them to prevent the looming famine threatening the Palestinian people in Gaza, in blatant violation of UN Security Council Resolutions 2720 and 2728, which mandate the opening of humanitarian corridors for aid delivery, as well as Resolution 2730, which obligates Israel to respect international organizations and protect their workers.
He called for action to compel Israel to comply with UN Security Council resolutions rather than for the UN to withdraw its international staff and evade its responsibilities in protecting the Palestinian people in Gaza, the West Bank, and occupied East Jerusalem.
