PA government: “The refugee problem is the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict”
Headline: “The [PA] government: The refugee problem is the core of the conflict; submitting Israel’s candidacy to any international role encourages the occupation”
“[The PA government] emphasized that the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) must continue to provide its services to the Palestinian refugees according to the mandate given to it in accordance with UN Resolution 302 .
The government emphasized that the international community must bear its responsibility regarding UNRWA, and called on the countries of the world to quickly provide the money required to cover UNRWA’s deficit, so that it will be able to continue to provide its services to the refugee members of our people everywhere that they are located.
It also emphasized that the international community must ensure the continuation of UNRWA’s activity until a just solution is found for the Palestinian refugee problem, as it is a living witness to the continuation of their tragedy and the extent of the crime that was perpetrated against them. The government added that the refugee problem is the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and that its solution in accordance with the decisions of the international institutions, and particularly [UN] Resolution 194, is the main way to end the conflict and establish a just and comprehensive peace in the region.”
UN Resolution 194 (Chapter 11, Dec. 11, 1948) states that "the refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbors should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return." Palestinian leaders argue this means that all Arabs who left Israel during the war (hundreds of thousands) and their descendants (a few million) have a "right of return" to Israel. Israel argues that the resolution only calls for a limited return and only under certain conditions, especially focusing on the words "wishing to return... and live at peace with their neighbors."
“[The PA government] emphasized that the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) must continue to provide its services to the Palestinian refugees according to the mandate given to it in accordance with UN Resolution 302 .
The government emphasized that the international community must bear its responsibility regarding UNRWA, and called on the countries of the world to quickly provide the money required to cover UNRWA’s deficit, so that it will be able to continue to provide its services to the refugee members of our people everywhere that they are located.
It also emphasized that the international community must ensure the continuation of UNRWA’s activity until a just solution is found for the Palestinian refugee problem, as it is a living witness to the continuation of their tragedy and the extent of the crime that was perpetrated against them. The government added that the refugee problem is the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and that its solution in accordance with the decisions of the international institutions, and particularly [UN] Resolution 194, is the main way to end the conflict and establish a just and comprehensive peace in the region.”
UN Resolution 194 (Chapter 11, Dec. 11, 1948) states that "the refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbors should be permitted to do so at the earliest practicable date, and that compensation should be paid for the property of those choosing not to return." Palestinian leaders argue this means that all Arabs who left Israel during the war (hundreds of thousands) and their descendants (a few million) have a "right of return" to Israel. Israel argues that the resolution only calls for a limited return and only under certain conditions, especially focusing on the words "wishing to return... and live at peace with their neighbors."