The International Commission (ICSPR) UN General Assembly Resolutions Are Crucial Steps to Halt Genocide and Protect Palestinian Refugees’ Rights
Date: December 12, 2024
Press Release
The International Commission (ICSPR): UN General Assembly Resolutions Are Crucial Steps to Halt Genocide and Protect Palestinian Refugees’ Rights
The International Commission to Support Palestinian Rights (ICSPR) strongly welcomes the adoption of two resolutions by the UN General Assembly during its extraordinary session. The first resolution calls for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. This resolution was adopted with 158 countries voting in favor, 9 against, and 13 abstentions. The second resolution renews the mandate of UNRWA, warns of severe consequences if its operations are halted or reduced, and demands that Israel compensate for all losses, damages, and destruction inflicted upon the agency. This resolution passed with 159 votes in favor, 9 against, and 11 abstentions.
Despite ongoing systematic incitement campaigns and Israeli occupation crimes targeting UNRWA, aimed at delegitimizing and undermining the agency as part of a broader effort to dismantle the Palestinian refugee issue, the resolution to renew UNRWA’s mandate reaffirms the responsibility of the United Nations and its member states not only toward the international agency but, more importantly, toward the Palestinian cause, refugees, and their rights.
ICSPR considers the UN General Assembly’s adoption of these resolutions—regarding the cessation of genocide and the renewal of UNRWA’s mandate—of utmost importance, particularly in light of the escalating Israeli aggression, acts of genocide, and the humanitarian catastrophe facing the Gaza Strip and Palestinian refugees. This comes amidst organized attacks and targeting of UNRWA staff and facilities, incitement campaigns against the agency, and the enactment of racist Israeli legislation banning UNRWA operations in occupied Palestinian territories, which contravenes the UN Charter, international resolutions, and international law. Additionally, the cessation of financial support by the United States and other countries has sought to paralyze the agency’s ability to provide essential services and protect the rights of Palestinian refugees.
ICSPR calls upon the United Nations and its member states to exert all efforts and take all necessary measures to ensure international protection for civilians and UNRWA. It urges continued action at all levels to stop Israeli aggression, genocide, displacement, siege, and starvation, ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid and securing the necessary international funding for UNRWA and other agencies to maximize humanitarian responses to the needs of the residents of Gaza and other UNRWA areas of operation. ICSPR also emphasizes the importance of sustaining the agency’s resources and expanding its mandate to include refugee protection, ensuring the provision of adequate and essential services to all Palestinian refugees regardless of their location. Furthermore, it calls for practical measures to hold Israel and its leaders accountable for crimes committed against UNRWA, its facilities, and its staff, guaranteeing Israel’s civil liability and compensation.
