Assistance to Palestine refugees

Condemnatory

Yes

Analysis

• This resolution serves Arab states that seek to preserve Palestinians as pawns in their political campaign to delegitimize Israel. The intent and effect of singling out Palestinians from all other refugee groups in the world is to isolate and demonize Israel.
• The resolution omits any reference to Lebanon’s discrimination against Palestinian refugees residing in Lebanon or Syria’s collective punishment of Palestinian refugees residing in Syria and their treatment as second-class citizens.
• Despite UNRWA’s well-established ties to terror, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the resolution extends UNRWA’s mandate for at least another three years.

Main Sponsors

Indonesia, South Africa

Vote

Yes - 151, No - 10, Abstain - 14, Absent - 18

See Full Vote

Key Praise

None

Key Criticism

• "Expressing grave concern at the especially difficult situation of the Palestine refugees under occupation, including with regard to their safety, well-being and socioeconomic living conditions."
• "Expressing grave concern in particular at the catastrophic humanitarian situation and socioeconomic conditions of the Palestine refugees in the Gaza Strip, and underlining the importance of emergency and humanitarian assistance and urgent reconstruction efforts to urgently address this crisis."
• "Notes with regret that repatriation or compensation of the refugees, as provided for in paragraph 11 of General Assembly resolution 194 (III), has not yet been effected, and that, therefore, the situation of the Palestine refugees continues to be a matter of grave concern and the Palestine refugees continue to require assistance to meet basic health, education and living needs."
• "Affirms the necessity for the continuation of the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East..."
• "Decides to extend the mandate of [UNRWA] until 30 June 2029…"