On December 12, the foreign ministers of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Egypt issued a joint statement, reiterating that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) plays an irreplaceable and significant role in safeguarding the rights and well-being of Palestine refugees.
The statement points out that for decades, UNRWA has been undertaking the unique mission of protecting refugees and providing education, medical care, social services, and emergency assistance, benefiting millions of Palestine refugees in its various operational areas, authorized by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 302. The recent resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly to extend the authorization of UNRWA for three years fully demonstrates the high trust of the international community in its crucial role and sustained operation.
The foreign ministers strongly condemned the Israeli personnel for breaking into the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) located in East Jerusalem, pointing out that this action seriously violated international law and the principle of inviolability of United Nations premises, constituted an unacceptable escalation, and violated the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on October 22 this year. The advisory opinion clearly requires that Israel, as the occupying power, has an obligation not to interfere with the operation of the Agency and should facilitate its work.
As the Gaza Strip faces an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, the foreign ministers emphasized that UNRWA, through its distribution network, plays a crucial role in delivering food, relief supplies, and basic necessities in a timely, fair, and efficient manner, which is in line with the requirements of UN Security Council Resolution 2803. The statement pointed out that UNRWA's schools and medical facilities in Gaza remain the "lifeline" of the refugee community, continuing to provide education and basic medical services in an extremely difficult environment, and providing important support for the local people to stay in their homes and rebuild their lives.
The statement emphasizes that the role of UNRWA is irreplaceable, as no other organization currently possesses the necessary infrastructure, professional expertise, and on-site deployment capabilities to meet the needs of Palestine refugees. Weakening the agency's capacity will inevitably have severe humanitarian, social, and political implications for the entire region.
The foreign ministers called on the international community to ensure sustainable and adequate financial support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and to provide it with the necessary political and operational space to carry out its work in the "five operational areas".
The statement points out that supporting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is a crucial pillar in maintaining regional stability, safeguarding human dignity, and protecting the legitimate rights of Palestine refugees, until a just and lasting solution is achieved in accordance with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, including General Assembly resolution 194.