Jordan King pushes for UNRWA funding to be restored

The King of Jordan, Abdullah II, has stressed the importance of continuing to support Palestinian refugees in the Near East according to Arab News and agencies. 

On the 29th of January, King Abdullah II highlighted the need for the international community to maintain support for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in a phone call with the organisation’s Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.He commented on the significant aid that the organisation gives to support more than 2 million Palestinians in Gaza who face severe humanitarian challenges.

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Various nations followed the lead of the US in suspending funding to the agency including Austria, Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the UK.

Their decision to stop funding came after allegations made by Israel that many UNRWA workers were involved in the Hamas attack on October 7th.

UN’s Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, said the decision to pause funding “overly defies” the International Court of Justice’s order to provide effective aid in Gaza, and could be a violation of the international genocide convention.

King Abdullah II commented on the necessity of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the urgency of Israel to follow international law and humanitarian standards.

He emphasised the importance of facilitating the return of Palestinians in Gaza back to their homes and recognised the necessary contributions of UN agencies in providing medical assistance and humanitarian relief to the region.

As of the 30th of January, Jordan hosts more than 2.2 million Palestinian refugees with UNRWA. It provides vital relief services following its UN mandate.

King Abdullah II also posed concerns about violations at Muslim and holy sites in Jerusalem as well as escalating settler violence in the West Bank.

Arab News/ Agencies.