The Palestinian National Council (PNC) briefed regional and international parliamentary associations on Israel’s plans to target UNRWA schools operating in occupied East Jerusalem.

Salim Zanoun, chairman of the PNC, sent letters to a number of European, Asian, African, Arab, Islamic and international parliamentary associations, explaining the dangers of implementing the recommendations of the Israeli National Security Council, which adopted a plan of shutting down UNRWA schools in Jerusalem in order to replace them with schools run by Israel’s Jerusalem municipality.

Zanoun called on all parliaments of the world, as well as regional and international parliamentary associations and all concerned parties to reject infringement on UNRWA and insist on maintaining its mission as well as emphasising that the termination of UNRWA must be linked with the implementation of UN Resolution 194.

He also called on developing an international campaign to denounce Israel’s decision to terminate the mandate of UNRWA and its educational, health and other institutions in occupied East Jerusalem.

The letter highlighted the importance of preserving UNRWA’s work and developing its sources of income by encouraging international and Arab contributions as the international community bears responsibility towards the tragedy and the plight of the Palestinian people and is tasked with providing relief, health and education to Palestinian refugees until they return to their land. It also urged states to fulfill their financial obligations to support UNRWA’s budget and meet the needs of Palestine refugees.

Zanoun pointed out in the letter that UNRWA runs five schools in Jerusalem located in Shu’fat, Sur Baher, Silwan and Wadi al-Joz, as well as a major medical center in the city and centers for children, serving up to 100,000 registered refugees in Jerusalem.

Israeli authorities have in the past few year blocked the construction of additional rooms or schools
and the reconstruction of old ones. They also closed down two historic schools, one of which is the Qadisiya School, and intends to hand them over to the illegal settlement groups.

These steps come as Israel attempts to shut down UNRWA and eliminate the Palestinian refugee issue, Judaize the Palestinian educational curricula and control the buildings used as school within the broader plan to Judaize occupied East Jerusalem, Zanoun’s letters said.

He also reiterated the need for the United Nations, particularly UNRWA, which was established by General Assembly resolution 302 on 8 December 1949 to address these policies.

Source: WAFA