Qalqilya District Governor to UNRWA delegation: “The Palestinian people is prepared to sacrifice that which is most precious to it in order to protect the sanctity of the right of return”
Headline: “The Qalqilya district governor received a delegation from UNRWA in his office”
“Qalqilya District Governor Rafe' Rawajbeh met with a delegation from UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) in his office yesterday [Oct. 11, 2018]… Rawajbeh gave a detailed explanation regarding the situation of the refugees and their suffering. He noted that 70% of the citizens in Qalqilya are refugees, which necessitates aid to the refugees, and expressed opposition to the reduction of the services given by UNRWA. The district governor noted that the refugees have many concerns, and what increases these concerns is the American bias in favor of the occupation by exerting pressure on UNRWA and ending its existence (apparently refers to the US cutting aid to UNRWA; see note below –Ed.). He added that [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and [US President Donald] Trump will leave in the end, but any harm to the issue of the refugees will not be forgotten, and the Palestinian people is prepared to sacrifice that which is most precious to it in order to protect the sanctity of the right of return.”
US President Donald Trump's administration announced on Aug. 31, 2018 that it was immediately cutting all $360 million of annual American funding to UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East). Explaining the decision, the US State Department said, "The fundamental business model and fiscal practices that have marked UNRWA for years – tied to UNRWA’s endlessly and exponentially expanding community of entitled beneficiaries – is simply unsustainable and has been in crisis mode for many years. The United States will no longer commit further funding to this irredeemably flawed operation."
The move came after the US froze two planned payments to UNRWA in early January 2018 for more than $100 million, and the US administration spoke about the need to reexamine and conduct a reform of the UN body. This occurred after the PA refused to negotiate with Israel and cut diplomatic ties with America following US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital on Dec. 6, 2017.
“Qalqilya District Governor Rafe' Rawajbeh met with a delegation from UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) in his office yesterday [Oct. 11, 2018]… Rawajbeh gave a detailed explanation regarding the situation of the refugees and their suffering. He noted that 70% of the citizens in Qalqilya are refugees, which necessitates aid to the refugees, and expressed opposition to the reduction of the services given by UNRWA. The district governor noted that the refugees have many concerns, and what increases these concerns is the American bias in favor of the occupation by exerting pressure on UNRWA and ending its existence (apparently refers to the US cutting aid to UNRWA; see note below –Ed.). He added that [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and [US President Donald] Trump will leave in the end, but any harm to the issue of the refugees will not be forgotten, and the Palestinian people is prepared to sacrifice that which is most precious to it in order to protect the sanctity of the right of return.”
US President Donald Trump's administration announced on Aug. 31, 2018 that it was immediately cutting all $360 million of annual American funding to UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East). Explaining the decision, the US State Department said, "The fundamental business model and fiscal practices that have marked UNRWA for years – tied to UNRWA’s endlessly and exponentially expanding community of entitled beneficiaries – is simply unsustainable and has been in crisis mode for many years. The United States will no longer commit further funding to this irredeemably flawed operation."
The move came after the US froze two planned payments to UNRWA in early January 2018 for more than $100 million, and the US administration spoke about the need to reexamine and conduct a reform of the UN body. This occurred after the PA refused to negotiate with Israel and cut diplomatic ties with America following US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital on Dec. 6, 2017.