FM Malki meets with Head of UN review group to examine UNRWA’s conduct

RAMALLAH: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates in the caretaker government, Riyad al-Malki, received today the Head of the independent UN review group to examine UNRWA's conduct, Catherine Colonna, at the Ministry's headquarters in Ramallah. Al-Malki welcomed this visit which came amid a campaign led by Israel to defund and dismantle UNRWA, stressing the central role played by the UN agency in protecting the rights of Palestinian refugees until they return to their homes. He also stressed the priority that the State of Palestine attaches to providing all means of support to the UN agency and its role and confronting all malicious and suspicious campaigns that seek to distort or harm this role. Al-Malki pointed out that what UNRWA is being exposed to did not begin on October 7, but rather over many years ago, as the agency was constantly exposed to attempts that aimed to undermine and end its work. He affirmed that Israel considers that UNRWA contributes to the continuation of the Palestinian refuge e issue by allowing the transfer of refugee identity across generations, pointing out that the right of return of Palestinian refugees will end by ending the UNRWA's work. The Minister briefed Colonna on the latest developments in the occupied Palestinian territory, especially the catastrophic conditions experienced by the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip due to the genocidal war waged by Israel against them. He stressed the priority of a sustainable ceasefire, especially in light of the holy month of Ramadan, and providing protection and international humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians. The minister expressed his concern over the crimes and collective punishments committed by the occupation army in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, with the support of ministers in the occupation government such as Itamar Ben-Gvir, without accountability. Al-Malki stressed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates is fully prepared to cooperate and provide the necessary information an d files to facilitate the work of the independent review group to evaluate UNRWA. For her part, Colonna briefed the minister on the committee's work, stressing that this committee will conduct an independent review to evaluate UNRWA's impartiality and its response to violations and will submit its report during the coming period. Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA