UNRWA chief says dismantling agency will not address refugee status of Palestinians
12/4/2025 2:06:27 PM
Philippe Lazzarini has said the absence of a “political solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is what determines the protracted status of Palestinians as refugees.
Israel has been conducting a campaign against the UN agency for Palestinians, which was created with a temporary mandate after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 to serve approximately 750,000 Palestinians displaced by the war.
Israel has banned the UNRWA, which enshrines the right of Palestinian refugees to return home, and US President Donald Trump has cut vital funds.
Lazzarini said, “Dismantling UNRWA will not address the refugee status of Palestinians.”
“Investing in peace is the answer to end what was meant to be a temporary situation.”
Israel has been conducting a campaign against the UN agency for Palestinians, which was created with a temporary mandate after the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 to serve approximately 750,000 Palestinians displaced by the war.
Israel has banned the UNRWA, which enshrines the right of Palestinian refugees to return home, and US President Donald Trump has cut vital funds.
Lazzarini said, “Dismantling UNRWA will not address the refugee status of Palestinians.”
“Investing in peace is the answer to end what was meant to be a temporary situation.”