Amman, Nov. 19 (Petra) – Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign and Expatriate Affairs Ayman Safadi on Wednesday reaffirmed the need to garner political and financial support by the international community to enable the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) to continue its "indispensable and irreplaceable" role of delivering services to Palestinian refugees in its five areas of operation under its UN mandate.

In opening remarks at a meeting of the UNRWA Advisory Commission, held with the participation of Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, representatives of the commission’s 29 members and four observers, Safadi stressed the agency’s pivotal role in providing basic services to Palestinian refugees, particularly in Gaza, which is facing an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe due to the Israeli aggression.

"No one can take UNRWA’s role to face the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza," Safadi stressed.

He reiterated Jordan’s rejection and condemnation of draft legislation in the Israeli Knesset against UNRWA’s presence, privileges and facilities in the occupied Palestinian territories as "a blatant violation of international law and a denial of essential rights and vital services recognized by the international community." He warned that continued Israeli actions against UNRWA are part of a broader attempt to liquidate the refugee issue, which must be resolved in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions, guaranteeing the refugees’ right to return and compensation.

The biannual meeting of the UNRWA Advisory Commission tackles issues of concern to the agency and offers counsel to the agency's Commissioner-General. Brazil currently the chair of the Commission’s session.

//Petra// NQ