Parliamentary committees vows support for UNRWA, condemns Israeli ban

AMMAN — The Lower House Palestine Committee held a meeting Tuesday, headed by MP Suleiman Saud, to discuss the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in providing its services to Palestinian refugees.

During the meeting, attended by Deputy Director for Operations at UNRWA Olaf Baker, Saud highlighted Jordan's commitment to protecting Jerusalem's Islamic and Christian sanctities, based on the Hashemite custodianship over these holy sites, noting the diplomatic efforts led by His Majesty King Abdullah to support the Palestinian cause and the necessity of continuing to support UNRWA.

In a committee statement, Saud voiced Jordan's rejection of the decision of the Israeli Knesset to stop UNRWA's operations, as it is the "true" testimony to the rights of the Palestinian people, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The MP added that Jordan is leading international efforts to fund UNRWA on an ongoing basis, stressing that the Kingdom rejects the idea of displacing Palestinians from their lands under any pretext.

Director General of the Department of Palestinian Affairs (DPA) Rafiq Khirfan reviewed the Kingdom's efforts in supporting the Palestinian people, saying that Jordan was the "first" country to support UNRWA to help address its financial crisis.

Khirfan noted the Jordanian government continues to support the agency in facing its repeated financial crises, especially after a number of countries suspended its funding.

Baker said that the agency and Jordan have a "shared" stance, calling on the international community to assume responsibility and provide the "necessary" support to UNRWA to continue its role.

Also on Tuesday, the Lower House's Foreign Affairs Committee said that Jordan is exerting efforts to maintain the UNRWA and warned against suspending its services.

During a meeting with Baker, attended by Kharfan, Head of the Committee MP Dina Basheer said that Jordan is making efforts to stop Israel's ban on UNRWA, which will have serious repercussions on the region.

She noted the Arab League Council held an extraordinary session at Jordan's request, in coordination with Palestine and Egypt, to counter the decision to ban UNRWA, and called on donor countries to meet their obligations towards the refugee agency.

She also referred to an initiative of joint commitment towards UNRWA by Jordan, Kuwait and Slovenia.

Basheer also highlighted His Majesty King Abdullah's efforts in supporting the refugee agency and putting the focus on the Palestinian issue, reiterating Jordan's rejection of the suspension of the agency's operations in Palestine and warning that defunding it is a breach of international and humanitarian standards.

The House believes that banning UNRWA's work will increase chaos in the region, she said, adding that Jordan is coordinating with donor nations to continue providing aid to refugees.

She also said that the UNRWA provides services to people in 13 refugee camps in Jordan, warning that a suspension of its operations would increase the burden on the Kingdom and put pressure on its resources.

Baker commended Jordan's support of UNRWA, by all means, to carry out its task of serving refugees.