Date: 16/3/2026
Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization and Head of the Department of Refugee Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Abu Holi, discussed with the Head of the German Mission to the State of Palestine, Ambassador Anke Schlimm, the latest political and field developments related to the refugee issue, in light of the current challenges facing the region and the threats confronting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
During the meeting, which was held today (Monday) at the Department’s headquarters in Ramallah, Dr. Abu Holi presented a comprehensive briefing on the severe financial crisis facing the Agency and the resulting “labor dispute,” along with its impacts on salaries and the quality of basic services. He stressed that UNRWA represents the backbone of any relief or reconstruction effort in the Gaza Strip and across its five fields of operation (the West Bank including Jerusalem, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria), and that it cannot be replaced or dispensed with as long as a political solution to the refugee issue remains absent.
Dr. Abu Holi expressed the Palestine Liberation Organization’s deep appreciation and satisfaction with the significant and impactful financial support provided by Germany to the Agency. He noted that the comprehensive nature of this support—covering regular budgets, emergency funding, and projects—reflects a deep understanding of the Agency’s complex needs. He emphasized that Germany’s position as the largest donor reinforces its role as a key partner and the most important guarantee for the sustainability of UNRWA’s work as a lifeline for millions of refugees.
He called on Germany to lead an initiative to increase its funding and to encourage European Union member states to provide additional financing that would enable the Agency to close the deficit in its regular budget and ensure its continuity as a political and humanitarian safety valve under these complex international circumstances.
Dr. Abu Holi affirmed that UNRWA holds the legal mandate in accordance with UN General Assembly Resolution 302, and that any attempt to transfer its responsibilities or redefine the Palestinian refugee would constitute a direct infringement on the rights of millions of refugees guaranteed under Resolution 194. He stressed that the Palestinian leadership, headed by President Mahmoud Abbas, closely follows with great importance the need to ensure the stability of UNRWA’s operations.
Dr. Abu Holi also expressed the State of Palestine’s concern regarding the recent positions of the Christian Democratic Party toward UNRWA. He noted that Palestinian concern stems from the fact that Germany constitutes a cornerstone not only for the Agency’s financial stability but also for protecting its political and legal legitimacy, which places upon Germany a historic responsibility to confront plans aimed at undermining UNRWA’s mandate.
Abu Holi explained that UNRWA has made significant progress by closing 21 recommendations from the Colonna Report, which confirmed the Agency’s neutrality and refuted the allegations made against its staff. He added that some recommendations still require additional funding to complete their implementation, praising the role of the “Neutrality and Integrity” task force that was established in response to recommendation 2(c) of the same report and chaired by Lebanon within the Advisory Commission.
For her part, German Ambassador Anke Schlimm reaffirmed that Germany remains the largest financial donor to UNRWA. In this context, she explained that the German government attaches the highest importance to the full implementation of the recommendations of the “Colonna Report” regarding the necessary reform steps, as this represents a fundamental guarantee for strengthening neutrality and continuing to develop oversight and transparency mechanisms, thereby supporting the sustainability of the Agency’s work.
