Ireland: US Cut in Aid to UNRWA Heartless and Dangerous

Dublin, MINA – Ireland criticized the United States decision to stop all financial contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) saying this decision is heartless and dangerous, WAFA reported.

“I believe this step is both heartless and dangerous, and will impact negatively on the Middle East region. And I ave made my views on this absolutely clear in contacts with the US administration,” said the Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney, on Saturday.

“I have seen first-hand the excellent work that UNRWA does in providing services to millions of people, including those in Gaza who have nowhere else to turn. It provides food aid to over a million Gazans, people who cannot feed themselves due to the economic impact of the blockade. Its education system promotes the values of peace to the children it serves, young girls and boys caught up in a conflict through no fault of their own and denied the normality others take for grante, conflict can be negotiated which meets the needs of both parties and resolves all final status issues, including the return of Palestine refugees. That is where the focus of international action should be. Regrettably, as with the re-location of the US Embassy to Jerusalem, yesterday’s decision makes winning support for any US-led peace initiative significantly more difficult.”

The Irish minister concluded: “Ireland is a longstanding supporter of UNRWA. We will continue that assistance and discuss with our EU and other partners what more can be done to support its work.”

The US announced on Friday that it is stopping all contributions to UNRWA. It is the largest contributor of aid with $350 million annually.

Palestinians believe this step is an attempt to cancel the issue of refugees and their right of return to the homes and land they were forced out from after Israel was created in 1948. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)