New York, December 7 — India voted in favour of a United Nations General Assembly resolution renewing the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) for another three years.
The resolution on “Assistance to Palestine refugees” was adopted by a vote of 151 in favour, 10 against and 14 abstentions.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini welcomed the outcome, saying he “saluted the overwhelming vote” and that it “reflects the broad solidarity of people across the world with Palestine Refugees.” He added the result underscores the international community’s responsibility to support the humanitarian and development needs of Palestine refugees and called for a matching commitment of adequate resources to implement the mandate.
UNRWA provides services including education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure improvements, microfinance and emergency assistance to help Palestine refugees realise their potential.
Israel opposed the renewal, accusing the agency of facilitating Hamas’s military buildup. Countries voting against the renewal included Argentina, Fiji, Hungary, North Macedonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, the United States and Israel. Fourteen nations abstained.
Last month, Israel’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson alleged that two Hamas operatives, Ashraf Mahd El Madhoun and Mohammed Ibrahim Abd Ghafour, had been among people who worked for UNRWA.
This report is based on a syndicated feed and was published as received.
