An Updated UNRWA Peace Initiative

UNRWA policy discussions often waste precious activist energy on the unachievable goal of getting rid of UNRWA – which would require the agreement of a majority of UN members. However, the UN will never vote for a measure that openly favors Israel. Instead, UNRWA policy change must be articulated in terms of universal United Nations values, which stress peace and reconciliation. It cannot be presented as a pro-Israel resolution. The working assumption is that UN members and relief agencies* funding the $1.6 billion UNRWA budget, 58% of which is earmarked for education**, ascribe to UN values of peace and reconciliation. UNRWA policy change must therefore be couched as an UNRWA Peace initiative, for UNRWA to conform to UN values.

Contours of the Updated UNRWA Peace Initiative

1. Cancelling the new UNRWA curriculum***, based on Jihad, martyrdom and “right of return by force of arms”, items which have no place in UN education.
2. Disarming  UNRWA schools****
3. Insisting that UNRWA dismiss employees affiliated with Hamas, Islamic Jihad or Fatah terror organizations,which cannot be afforded any standing in a UN organization.
4. Introducing UNHCR standards to advance resettlement of fourth- and fifth-generation refugees from 1948, who have spent seven decades relegated to refugee camps. Current UNRWA policy is that Arab refugee resettlement would interfere with the “right of return” to pre-1948 Arab localities. UNRWA must not be allowed to flaunt its commitment to assist refugees from 1948 and their descendants.
5. Demanding an audit of funds from 67 donor nations and 33 relief agencies, to address evidence of wasted resources, duplication of services and cash to terror groups that dominate UNRWA staff.

*HTTPS://WWW.UNRWA.ORG/HOW-YOU-CAN-HELP/GOVERNMENT-PARTNERS/FUNDING-TRENDS

**https://www.unrwa.org/how-you-can-help/how-we-spend-funds

***https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/app/uploads/2024/05/E_114_24.pdf

****https://israelbehindthenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/p14-17.pdf