Middle East Monitor / December 12, 2024
The United Nations General Assembly passed two key resolutions yesterday with majority support, reaffirming the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The resolution titled “Supporting the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East” garnered 159 votes in favour, with nine countries opposing and 11 abstaining.
Meanwhile, the resolution “Demand for ceasefire in Gaza” was backed by 158 countries, with nine objections and 13 abstentions.
Argentina, Israel and the US were among the countries that voted against both resolutions.
In response, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates expressed gratitude to the nations that sponsored, supported and voted for the resolutions. It emphasised that this support underscores a commitment to the United Nations Charter, principles of justice, human rights and international law.
The ministry highlighted that the renewed backing for UNRWA sends a strong message about the agency’s critical role in delivering essential services to Palestinian refugees, safeguarding their rights, and promoting regional stability.
That resolution demands that Israel respect UNRWA’s mandate and calls on the Israeli government “to abide by its international obligations, respect the privileges and immunities of UNRWA and uphold its responsibility to allow and facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance in all its forms into and throughout the entire Gaza Strip.”
The votes followed two days of speeches at the United Nations, where speakers called for an end to Israel’s ongoing military onslaught in Gaza, which has killed over 44,800 people, mostly women and children, and now faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its war on Gaza, which has claimed the lives of more than 44,800 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, and injured over 106,200 others.
During the first day of debate in the assembly’s special session on the issue, Palestine’s UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour said that Gaza is “the bleeding heart of Palestine.”
“The images of our children burning in tents, with no food in their bellies and no hopes and no horizon for the future, and after having endured pain and loss for more than a year, should haunt the conscience of the world and prompt action to end this nightmare,” Mansour said.
Slovenia’s UN Ambassador, Samuel Zbogar, told the General Assembly: “Gaza doesn’t exist anymore. It is destroyed. Civilians are facing hunger, despair and death.”
He added: “There is no reason for this war to continue. We need a ceasefire now.”
The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates called on all UN member states to ensure these resolutions are enforced on the ground. This includes guaranteeing unrestricted humanitarian aid access to Gaza, protecting civilians and holding accountable those responsible for violations of international law.
Israel has long sought to have UNRWA closed as it is the only UN agency to have a specific mandate to look after the basic needs of Palestinian refugees. If the agency no longer exists, argues Israel, then the refugee issue must no longer exist, and the legitimate right for Palestinian refugees to return to their land will be unnecessary. Israel has denied that right of return since the late 1940s, even though its own membership of the UN was made conditional upon Palestinian refugees being allowed to return to their homes and land.
