Aqsa Working Group Rejects Attempts to Replace UNRWA's Role in Gaza Strip

The Aqsa Working Group (AWG) has called on the Indonesian government and United Nations member states to strengthen support for the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) to ensure the continuity of humanitarian services for the Palestinian people. AWG Presidium Chairman Muhammad Anshorullah stated in Jakarta on Friday that the UN and all its member states must maintain UNRWA’s mandate and funding, and reject any attempts aimed at replacing or eliminating the agency’s role. “AWG also demands that the UN and all its member states oppose the BoP’s plans against UNRWA and continue to strengthen its mandate and funding, guarantee the continuity of humanitarian services for the Palestinian people, and reject all forms of attempts to replace or eliminate the agency’s role,” he said. Furthermore, AWG urged the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab League, the Non-Aligned Movement, and all countries to reject the Board of Peace (BoP), which it considers to be weakening the Palestinian struggle, while increasing political, economic, and legal pressure on Israel to end the occupation of Palestine. AWG also asked the Indonesian government, President Prabowo Subianto, and all Muslim countries that are members of the BoP to consider withdrawing from the board’s membership. “The BoP’s plan against UNRWA is a relevant reason and a very appropriate momentum,” he said. According to Anshorullah, Indonesia and several BoP member countries have long been known as strong supporters of UNRWA. Indonesia even nearly doubled its annual contribution when Israel and the United States attempted to dissolve the UN body. AWG declared its condemnation of the BoP’s efforts, which it considers to be attempting to delegitimise UNRWA by pushing for the cessation of its operations in Gaza and replacing its role through a new institution under the BoP. “This step is a form of weakening the official UN mandate and part of a systematic effort to erase the status and rights of Palestinian refugees guaranteed by international law,” Anshorullah said. AWG also condemned the statement by the United States Ambassador to the UN calling for a halt to funding for UNRWA and its diversion to the BoP. “AWG condemns the official BoP statement which said that UNRWA has no place in the new Gaza,” he said. According to AWG, the statement shows that the United States is using the BoP to support Israel’s interests while diverting attention from the main issues occurring in Palestine. “According to him, the statement further proves that America is only using the BoP for the interests of Zionist Israel, and obscuring the root of the main problem, namely the colonisation, apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and genocide carried out by Zionist Israel.” AWG assessed that the BoP’s plan aligns with Israel’s desires regarding UNRWA, which has continued its humanitarian duties for Palestinian citizens during the conflict in Gaza. The organisation also noted that more than 310 UN staff serving with UNRWA have died over approximately 1,000 days of conflict in Gaza. “That means, every three days, one UN staff member is killed by Zionist Israel in Gaza,” he said. AWG stressed that UNRWA must continue to be strengthened as a humanitarian institution under the UN mandate, while various violations of international law against the Palestinian people must be a serious concern for the international community.