UNRWA accused of ‘partiality’

AMMAN — A group of MPs on Sunday urged the government to intervene and stop what they described as the “partiality” of UNRWA, accusing the UN relief agency of “purposely and systematically” decreasing its services to Palestinian refugees.

In a memo they signed and submitted to the Lower House’s permanent office, 22 deputies called on the government to verify reports about UNRWA director in Jordan “ordering the removal of Palestine map and pictures of occupied Jerusalem from schools administrated by the relief agency”.

In the memo, a copy of which was seen by The Jordan Times, signatories argued that their demand came in response to a number of “violations” by Director of UNRWA Operations in Jordan Rogers Davis, including “harming the Palestinian identity” and “systematically reducing the agency’s services”.

“The agency [UNRWA] is supposed to be impartial, though not supportive, with the suffering of its staff in Jordan and turning a deaf ear to their rights being the proof,” the memo said.

Initiated by MP Khalil Atiyyeh, the memo also charged that  UNRWA’s protection and inspection teams have removed the map of Palestine and pictures of Jerusalem from the walls of schools, igniting “reservation and doubts” among students and instructors. 

The 22 lawmakers requested “swift and strict” measures by the government against the agency director to oblige UNRWA to abide by the principle of “impartiality”.