In Geneva today, I told the press that letting UNRWA implode because of the fierce disinformation campaign, the Knesset legislation, and the suspension of funding by key donors will have grave consequences.
It would create a dangerous vacuum in the occupied Palestinian territory. It will also send shockwaves through Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
This would create an environment in which children are deprived of education, people lack access to basic services. Such an environment would be fertile ground for exploitation and extremism.
This is a threat to peace and stability in the region and beyond.
Dismantling UNRWA abruptly will only deepen the suffering of Palestine Refugees, it will not cancel their refugee status.
Alternatively, UNRWA can be supported to progressively conclude its mandate within the framework of a political process leading to empowered and prepared Palestinian institutions within the "two-State solution".
UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency's area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.
UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on.
UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.
