Moment Debate | Should UNRWA be shut down?

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Evaluating the Controversy: Should UNRWA Continue its Operations?

 

The question of whether the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees should be shut down has sparked intense debate and scrutiny in recent years. Two perspectives, each offering compelling arguments, shed light on the complexities of the issue. To delve deeper into this contentious topic, let's explore both viewpoints and examine the implications of each.

 

Larry Garber, a vocal proponent for the continuation of UNRWA's operations, emphasizes the critical humanitarian role the agency plays, particularly in the midst of ongoing crises such as the situation in Gaza. Garber highlights UNRWA's extensive infrastructure and resources, which uniquely position it to provide essential services to Palestinian refugees, including healthcare and education. He underscores the urgent need for UNRWA's intervention in addressing the immediate needs of vulnerable populations and argues against prematurely shutting down the agency.

 

However, Garber does not shy away from acknowledging the longstanding controversies surrounding UNRWA. He references allegations of Hamas involvement among UNRWA personnel and critiques the agency's perceived focus on perpetuating the Palestinian refugee issue. Despite these concerns, Garber maintains that UNRWA remains indispensable in delivering vital services to those in need, particularly in Gaza, where alternatives are scarce.

 

On the opposing side of the debate, Hillel Neuer advocates for the shutdown of UNRWA, citing fundamental flaws in its approach and objectives. Neuer contends that UNRWA's underlying narrative undermines prospects for peace and perpetuates a cycle of conflict by promoting the notion of a "right of return" for Palestinian refugees. He asserts that UNRWA's activities contribute to a divisive rhetoric that impedes progress towards a two-state solution.

 

Neuer also raises serious allegations of UNRWA's complicity with terrorism, pointing to instances where agency staff have been implicated in supporting extremist activities. He argues that UNRWA's involvement in promoting an anti-Israel agenda undermines its credibility and effectiveness as a humanitarian organization. Instead, Neuer calls for redirecting funding to alternative agencies that can provide assistance without perpetuating political tensions.

 

Both perspectives offer valuable insights into the complex dynamics surrounding UNRWA's operations. While Garber emphasizes the immediate humanitarian needs that UNRWA addresses, Neuer raises legitimate concerns about the agency's broader implications for regional stability and peace efforts. As stakeholders continue to grapple with these complexities, finding a viable path forward will require careful consideration of the broader geopolitical context and the long-term interests of all parties involved.

 

In conclusion, the debate over whether UNRWA should be shut down underscores the multifaceted nature of the Palestinian refugee crisis and the challenges inherent in addressing it. While there are valid arguments on both sides, ultimately, the decision regarding UNRWA's future will hinge on a delicate balance between humanitarian imperatives and geopolitical realities. As the international community navigates these complexities, the need for constructive dialogue and collaborative solutions remains paramount in charting a path towards a more sustainable and peaceful future for all involved parties.

 

13.04.24

Source

 

 

[retarius]

Insofar as all institutions are corrupt, UNRWA is likely corrupt and maybe should be replaced with something more effective. It should certainly not be shut down because of the recent scurrilous evidence-free lies by Israel about UNWRA staff taking part in the massacre on October 7th. 

[Wobblybob]

Strange how 10 of the UNRWA were sacked when evidence emerged that they were involved in the terror attack. And would they really need a UNRWA if they stopped building tunnels under hospitals and funnel their energies into agriculture and farming and the like, you know like the hard working Israelis did instead of thinking of ways to attack Israel.

If they can't help themselves why should anybody else fund the terrorists!

[coolcarer]

2 hours ago, retarius said:

Insofar as all institutions are corrupt, UNRWA is likely corrupt and maybe should be replaced with something more effective. It should certainly not be shut down because of the recent scurrilous evidence-free lies by Israel about UNWRA staff taking part in the massacre on October 7th. 

I suppose you missed the video of a UNRWA staff take the murdered body of an Israeli put it in the back of a truck and take it back to Gaza where it remains as a dead hostage.

[Hanaguma]

I can think of nowhere else in the world where refugee status is passed from generation to generation, certainly not for nearly 80 years.  UNRWA needs to go. The refugees need to be resettled. Countries hosting Palestinian refugees need to grant them full residence status with an eye to citizenship. Those in Gaza and the west bank who are willing to live peacefully with their neighbours need to be given the chance to do so. 

 

The so-called "Right of Return" needs to be abolished. Ain't gonna happen. Has not happened in other areas and would set a dangerous precedent. Can Germans who are descended from families in East Prussia return to claim their lands? How about Indian hindus expelled from Pakistan? Jews expelled from Morocco, Tunisia, etc?  Of course not. So time to put this fantasy to bed permanently.

[simple1]

On 4/14/2024 at 2:28 PM, Wobblybob said:

Strange how 10 of the UNRWA were sacked when evidence emerged that they were involved in the terror attack. And would they really need a UNRWA if they stopped building tunnels under hospitals and funnel their energies into agriculture and farming and the like, you know like the hard working Israelis did instead of thinking of ways to attack Israel.

If they can't help themselves why should anybody else fund the terrorists!

 

Personally I don't know how unarmed UNRWA can stop / refuse  Hamas operations within their infrastructure. As we know change management is a top down initiated process. Accordingly UNRWA will require significant resources to manage cultural change as well as security provided by UN members which would need to be agreed by the Security Council. So far as I'm aware there is no third party organisation with sufficient human resources, together with acceptance by the Gazan population, to replace UNRWA. How will Hamas be leveraged from power as killing will not cease the ideology, plus one assumes the killing of civilians will leave a long collective memory of resentment against Israel and the West. A very long road ahead, perhaps decades for change management, finance and to re-build Gaza.

Edited April 19 by simple1

[Brickleberry]

On 4/16/2024 at 12:38 PM, Hanaguma said:

I can think of nowhere else in the world where refugee status is passed from generation to generation, certainly not for nearly 80 years.  UNRWA needs to go. The refugees need to be resettled. Countries hosting Palestinian refugees need to grant them full residence status with an eye to citizenship. Those in Gaza and the west bank who are willing to live peacefully with their neighbours need to be given the chance to do so. 

 

The so-called "Right of Return" needs to be abolished. Ain't gonna happen. Has not happened in other areas and would set a dangerous precedent. Can Germans who are descended from families in East Prussia return to claim their lands? How about Indian hindus expelled from Pakistan? Jews expelled from Morocco, Tunisia, etc?  Of course not. So time to put this fantasy to bed permanently.

 

Actually you are wrong. Every single refugee in the world has exactly the same rights, passed down from generation to generation until they receive citizenship from a state. Disbanding UNRWA will not change this legal reality, however much Israel wishes to change it.

 

Some countries hosting Palestinians have indeed given citizenship. Others do not do so, in order to allow Palestinians to continue to claim their birthright - land that was stolen from them.

 

The right of return is not a magical law created only for Palestinians, it is a right given to every single refugee all around the world, and predates the Palestinian conflict. It has happened in many other conflicts. To suggest UNRWA perpetuates this is a falsehood spoken by people who wish to remove UNRWA.

 

Amazing how UN bodies and laws are OK when Israel wanted statehood in 1948. Now Israel & the US are denying the Palestinians statehood, all of a sudden the UN and all of its agencies are antisemitic. Grow up Israel. Follow the law and you won't have any of these issues. Follow the law and there will be peace. Admit to the crimes it has committed over 76 years, and there just might be justice. 

[Brickleberry]

On 4/14/2024 at 2:28 PM, Wobblybob said:

Strange how 10 of the UNRWA were sacked when evidence emerged that they were involved in the terror attack. And would they really need a UNRWA if they stopped building tunnels under hospitals and funnel their energies into agriculture and farming and the like, you know like the hard working Israelis did instead of thinking of ways to attack Israel.

If they can't help themselves why should anybody else fund the terrorists!

 

You are either lying, or misinformed.

 

There has been no evidence given at all for any of Israel's allegations against UNRWA, and most of the countries that held back funding have since resumed and given UNRWA their support.

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/22/us-intelligence-unrwa-hamas

 

Quote

 

A US intelligence assessment of Israel’s claims that UN aid agency staff members participated in the Hamas attack on 7 October said some of the accusations were credible, though could not be independently verified, while also casting doubt on claims of wider links to militant groups.

The intelligence report, released last week, assessed with “low confidence” that a handful of staff had participated in the attack, indicating that it considered the accusations to be credible though it could not independently confirm their veracity.

It cast doubt, however, on accusations that the UN agency was collaborating with Hamas in a wider way. The Journal said the report mentioned that although the UNRWA does coordinate with Hamas in order to deliver aid and operate in the region, there was a lack of evidence to suggest it partnered with the group.

It added that Israel has not “shared the raw intelligence behind its assessments with the US”.

In addition, the report notes Israel’s dislike towards the UNRWA, two sources familiar with it told the Journal. “There is a specific section that mentions how Israeli bias serves to mischaracterize much of their assessments on UNRWA and says this has resulted in distortions,” one source reportedly said.

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

Evidence presented to US Congress:

 

 

[Brickleberry]

5 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Evidence presented to US Congress:

 

 

You are intentionally misleading the audience. You may wish to disband UNRWA for some idiotic reason, but do try to be honest next time and at least show a video of actual evidence, or even a video that contains the evidence you claim to have. 

 

This video (I watched it) is about text books in schools, and a telegram message group. I have addressed both of those points below with statements from the UN. This video is not evidence about any of Israel's claims made about the 12 UN workers, or that 10% of UNRWA are members of Hamas. It has NO relevance to this discussion whatsoever. Why does it have no relevance? Because this guy is lying through his back teeth. Here are several statements from the UN that refute his lies:

 

https://www.un.org/unispal/document/unrwa-claims-versus-facts-press-release-26feb2024/

 

 

Quote

 

The Claim: UNRWA schools in the oPt, which use textbooks approved by the Palestinian Authority, have used materials that glorify terrorists and promote hatred of Israel.

The Facts: UNRWA does not have, own, or produce its own textbooks. It provides quality education in line with UN values and UNESCO standards, especially those applicable to refugee contexts, thus using the host government textbooks. UNRWA reviews all the textbooks used in its schools to identify sections that may not be in line with UN values and UNESCO standards for teaching. UNRWA has zero tolerance for hate speech and incitement to discrimination, or violence. Independent analysts and international education experts have vouched for the quality and content of the education that UNRWA provides in its schools. 

Using host country curriculums in refugee situations is standard for the UN around the world. It is considered a best practice that helps ensure that students can matriculate into host country educational systems at any level and more broadly participate in the social and economic life of the host country. This is particularly relevant for UNRWA as our school system ends after grade 9, except in Lebanon, and students transition to local schools for upper secondary, then university.

UNRWA enriches the curriculum it uses by adding a unique programme on Human Rights, Conflict Resolution and Tolerance, and has also established school parliaments run by students in every institution. 

Internationally recognized outside evaluations – including a 2021 World Bank-UNHCR study – empirically demonstrated that UNRWA’s educational outcomes are among the best in the region and at the lowest cost per student. UNRWA’s students in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jordan “scored an average of a quarter of a standard deviation higher in international assessments than public school children, implying an advantage of almost a year of learning.”

Regarding the textbooks produced by the Palestinian Authority, UNRWA’s own stance on these materials closely aligns with the Georg Eckert Institute’s findings in the study commissioned by the European Commission and published in 2021. 

 

The Claim: Members of a Telegram group of 3,000 UNRWA teachers allegedly supported violence, including in the 7 October attacks against Israel, and there have been similar cases in the past involving UNRWA staff.

The Facts: The most recent claims, made by the organization UN Watch in January 2024 refer to exchanges found on an open Telegram chat that was not set-up, nor authorized, nor managed by UNRWA. The use of the UN and UNRWA logo on this Telegram group has not been authorized.  

Due to the nature of Telegram, it is impossible to verify the allegation that all members of this group are UNRWA employees. The group seems to be formed around job seeking, so it is unlikely that its members are all UNRWA staff (already employed by the Agency). 

Previous claims by UN Watch and other organizations about the behavior of individuals have often misidentified as UNRWA staff the people allegedly involved. For example, in various claims made since 2022, concerning a total of 129 people, more than half turned out not to be UNRWA personnel.

 

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

11 minutes ago, Brickleberry said:

 

You are intentionally misleading the audience. You may wish to disband UNRWA for some idiotic reason, but do try to be honest next time and at least show a video of actual evidence, or even a video that contains the evidence you claim to have. 

 

This video (I watched it) is about text books in schools, and a telegram message group. I have addressed both of those points below with statements from the UN. This video is not evidence about any of Israel's claims made about the 12 UN workers, or that 10% of UNRWA are members of Hamas. It has NO relevance to this discussion whatsoever. Why does it have no relevance? Because this guy is lying through his back teeth. Here are several statements from the UN that refute his lies:

 

https://www.un.org/unispal/document/unrwa-claims-versus-facts-press-release-26feb2024/

 

 

 

 

I think you better read the OP rather than claiming I am misleading the audience and not being honest. UN Watch is mentioned.

[Brickleberry]

23 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

I think you better read the OP rather than claiming I am misleading the audience and not being honest. UN Watch is mentioned.

 

Can you quote the part of the article that mentions UN watch? I cannot see it.

[Bkk Brian]

2 minutes ago, Brickleberry said:

 

Can you quote the part of the article that mentions UN watch? I cannot see it.

Wow

On 4/13/2024 at 5:49 AM, Social Media said:

On the opposing side of the debate, Hillel Neuer advocates for the shutdown of UNRWA, citing fundamental flaws in its approach and objectives. Neuer contends that UNRWA's underlying narrative undermines prospects for peace and perpetuates a cycle of conflict by promoting the notion of a "right of return" for Palestinian refugees. He asserts that UNRWA's activities contribute to a divisive rhetoric that impedes progress towards a two-state solution.

 

[Brickleberry]

21 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Wow

 

 

UN watch was not mentioned in the article, or in your post.

 

You would have to know exactly who Hillel Neuer is to know that he is the Head of UN watch.

[Bkk Brian]

3 minutes ago, Brickleberry said:

 

UN watch was not mentioned in the article, or in your post.

 

You would have to know exactly who Hillel Neuer is to know that he is the Head of UN watch.

Now check the source, the whole article is an opinion piece with:

 

DEBATERS
1. Larry Garber, a former senior USAID policy official during the Clinton and Obama administrations, was USAID mission director to the West Bank and Gaza from 1999 to 2004.

2. Hillel Neuer is the executive director of UN Watch, a human rights NGO and UN watchdog group based in Geneva, Switzerland.

[Hanaguma]

On 4/19/2024 at 6:23 PM, Brickleberry said:

 

Actually you are wrong. Every single refugee in the world has exactly the same rights, passed down from generation to generation until they receive citizenship from a state. Disbanding UNRWA will not change this legal reality, however much Israel wishes to change it.

 

Some countries hosting Palestinians have indeed given citizenship. Others do not do so, in order to allow Palestinians to continue to claim their birthright - land that was stolen from them.

 

The right of return is not a magical law created only for Palestinians, it is a right given to every single refugee all around the world, and predates the Palestinian conflict. It has happened in many other conflicts. To suggest UNRWA perpetuates this is a falsehood spoken by people who wish to remove UNRWA.

 

Amazing how UN bodies and laws are OK when Israel wanted statehood in 1948. Now Israel & the US are denying the Palestinians statehood, all of a sudden the UN and all of its agencies are antisemitic. Grow up Israel. Follow the law and you won't have any of these issues. Follow the law and there will be peace. Admit to the crimes it has committed over 76 years, and there just might be justice. 

Ah yes, those kind countries graciously refusing Palestinian refugees citizenship for 4 generations. How generous of them to do so, therefore allowing the refugees to one day return to their great grandparents's homes.

 

Give me a break. 

[Jeff the Chef]

7 minutes ago, Hanaguma said:

Ah yes, those kind countries graciously refusing Palestinian refugees citizenship for 4 generations. How generous of them to do so, therefore allowing the refugees to one day return to their great grandparents's homes.

 

Give me a break. 

 

So by refusing Palestinians citizenship the neighbouring countries are supporting Palestinians in their fight against Israel who have been stealing their land illegally since 1948, I'll give you a break, toddle off back behind your borders, mind your own business, keep Israeli noses out of Palestinian affairs, comply with all U.N. resolutions and stop being the (we've all got one) of the World.

[Hanaguma]

2 hours ago, Jeff the Chef said:

 

So by refusing Palestinians citizenship the neighbouring countries are supporting Palestinians in their fight against Israel who have been stealing their land illegally since 1948, I'll give you a break, toddle off back behind your borders, mind your own business, keep Israeli noses out of Palestinian affairs, comply with all U.N. resolutions and stop being the (we've all got one) of the World.

Yeah, the next time Israelis storm the border into Gaza, rape and murder civilians, and carry their mutilated bodies back to Israel for a big street party, I'll be with you on that. Until that time, I'll stay on the side of the only country in the region that supports human rights and democratic principles. And allows 2 million Arabs as citizens as well. Ask yourself this- would you rather be an Arab citizen in Israel, or a Jewish citizen in (insert Arab country here)? That may help you decide on the morality of the situation. 

 

Of course, the reality is that the 22 Arab nations of the world largely refuse to grant citizenship to Palestinians for a few reasons. First, the Palestinians are troublemakers and those governments don't want what happened in Jordan to happen within their borders. Second, keeping the Palestinians stateless gives the Arab world a convenient weapon to use against Israel. Instead, they keep the Palestinians, even the ones in refugee camps within Arab nations, stateless and in poverty.  It is a craven and cruel political decision that makes them look truly evil. 

 

"Supporting Palestinians"? Please. What kind of 'support' is denying civil and legal rights to people born in your country, whose parents were also born there?

[Jeff the Chef]

3 hours ago, Hanaguma said:

Yeah, the next time Israelis storm the border into Gaza, rape and murder civilians, and carry their mutilated bodies back to Israel for a big street party, I'll be with you on that. Until that time, I'll stay on the side of the only country in the region that supports human rights and democratic principles. And allows 2 million Arabs as citizens as well. Ask yourself this- would you rather be an Arab citizen in Israel, or a Jewish citizen in (insert Arab country here)? That may help you decide on the morality of the situation. 

 

Of course, the reality is that the 22 Arab nations of the world largely refuse to grant citizenship to Palestinians for a few reasons. First, the Palestinians are troublemakers and those governments don't want what happened in Jordan to happen within their borders. Second, keeping the Palestinians stateless gives the Arab world a convenient weapon to use against Israel. Instead, they keep the Palestinians, even the ones in refugee camps within Arab nations, stateless and in poverty.  It is a craven and cruel political decision that makes them look truly evil. 

 

"Supporting Palestinians"? Please. What kind of 'support' is denying civil and legal rights to people born in your country, whose parents were also born there?

 

Yeah, yeah, yeah this is about should UNRWA be shut-down not what happened on the 7/10.

The one and only reason Israel wants rid of UNRWA is the "right of return" which is in their charter through the UN, anything else is waffle and propaganda by Israel.

[Bkk Brian]

3 minutes ago, Jeff the Chef said:

 

Yeah, yeah, yeah this is about should UNRWA be shut-down not what happened on the 7/10.

The one and only reason Israel wants rid of UNRWA is the "right of return" which is in their charter through the UN, anything else is waffle and propaganda by Israel.

About UNRWA AND Oct 7th, from the OP:

 

"October 7 has highlighted some of these concerns with Israel’s specific allegations that staff members were involved in acts of terrorism."

[Bkk Brian]

Don’t restore UNRWA funding, MPs say

Conservative MPs have pressed the government not to restore funding to the UN agency for Palestiinian refugees that was paused in January after Israel alleged a number of its employees had been involved in the Hamas attack on October 7.

Theresa Villiers, the MP for Chipping Barnet, told the Telegraph that the UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency), which was set up to support Palestinian refugees in 1949, was “completely discredited”.

A new organisation was needed which was “not tainted by the failings of UNRWA,” she said.

https://www.thejc.com/news/dont-restore-unrwa-funding-mps-say-kjr8pyj6

 

UN ‘set to whitewash Unrwa report’ despite new evidence of radicalisation in Gaza schools

The 245-page dossier submitted by the Institute for Monitoring Peace And Cultural Tolerance in School Education (Impact-se) appeared to confirm extreme Jew hate in Unrwa schools and uncovered numerous textbooks with content linked to the massacre.

Impact-se’s report also found some Unrwa schools celebrated October 7. In addition to the involvement of Unrwa staff on October 7, over 100 Unrwa graduates were found to be part of the Hamas group that murdered Israeli civilians.

Now the education monitoring NGO fears the UN review will “include inadequate recommendations, and [will] likely downplay the extent of hate taught in Unrwa schools”. Impact-se fears that the UN report will not hold a single Unrwa teacher to account.

https://www.thejc.com/news/israel/un-set-to-whitewash-unrwa-report-despite-new-evidence-of-radicalisation-in-gaza-schools-fjwi2tg1

[placeholder]

On 4/21/2024 at 8:23 PM, Bkk Brian said:

About UNRWA AND Oct 7th, from the OP:

 

"October 7 has highlighted some of these concerns with Israel’s specific allegations that staff members were involved in acts of terrorism."

U.S. Finds Some Israeli Claims on U.N. Staff Likely, Others Not
Intelligence report says Washington can’t verify Israeli assertions about widespread links to militant groups

A new U.S. intelligence assessment found it is likely that some employees of a United Nations agency that distributes aid to Palestinians took part in Hamas’s Oct. 7 assault on Israel, but says the U.S. can’t verify Israeli allegations that a larger number of U.N. workers have links to militant groups, people familiar with the report said.

Washington and other Western capitals last month suspended funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which supplies aid to Palestinians, after Israel shared findings that at least 12 Unrwa employees were connected to the series of Hamas killings and kidnappings during an attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.

https://archive.ph/UWsp4

[Jeff the Chef]

An independent panel released its much-awaited report on Monday about the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA), providing 50 recommendations and noting that Israeli authorities have yet to provide proof of their claims that UN staff are involved with terrorist organisations.

“Israel made public claims that a significant number of UNRWA employees are members of terrorist organisations. However, Israel has yet to provide supporting evidence of this,” according to the 54-page final report, Independent review of mechanisms and procedures to ensure adherence by UNRWA to the humanitarian principle of neutrality.

The UN Secretary-General, who received the final report at the weekend, had appointed the independent review group days after Israel announced the allegations against UNRWA, which employees 30,000 people and serves 5.9 million Palestine refugees in the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and war-torn Gaza.

 

https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/04/1148821

[Bkk Brian]

31 minutes ago, placeholder said:

U.S. Finds Some Israeli Claims on U.N. Staff Likely, Others Not
Intelligence report says Washington can’t verify Israeli assertions about widespread links to militant groups

A new U.S. intelligence assessment found it is likely that some employees of a United Nations agency that distributes aid to Palestinians took part in Hamas’s Oct. 7 assault on Israel, but says the U.S. can’t verify Israeli allegations that a larger number of U.N. workers have links to militant groups, people familiar with the report said.

Washington and other Western capitals last month suspended funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which supplies aid to Palestinians, after Israel shared findings that at least 12 Unrwa employees were connected to the series of Hamas killings and kidnappings during an attack on Israel that sparked the war in Gaza.

https://archive.ph/UWsp4

Topic on it here with 45 pages of the actual report pdf

 

 

UNRWA neutrality must be strengthened, independent review finds

https://aseannow.com/topic/1325677-unrwa-neutrality-must-be-strengthened-independent-review-finds