The Arab League has strongly rejected calls to terminate the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), describing such demands as legally baseless and a direct challenge to the rights of millions of Palestinian refugees.
In a statement issued by its Department of Palestine and the Occupied Arab Territories, the League condemned remarks reportedly made by the so-called “Peace Council,” which claimed that “there is no place for UNRWA in the new Gaza” and advocated ending the agency’s mandate on political grounds.
UNRWA’s Legal Status Remains Unchanged
The Arab League stressed that UNRWA was established under United Nations General Assembly Resolution 302 in 1949 and continues to operate under a mandate that is periodically renewed by the UN General Assembly. It emphasized that no individual country or political organization has the authority to revoke or alter the agency’s mandate, which remains linked to the unresolved status of Palestinian refugees and the pursuit of a just and lasting political solution.
The League further noted that UNRWA continues to function under the direct oversight of the United Nations, with its legal status reaffirmed through multiple UN reviews and investigations.
Vital Humanitarian Lifeline
Highlighting the agency’s humanitarian significance, the Arab League said UNRWA remains indispensable in providing education, healthcare, emergency relief, social services, and protection to millions of Palestinian refugees across its five operational areas.
The statement placed particular emphasis on Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis has reached unprecedented levels. Widespread displacement, severe food shortages, the collapse of healthcare infrastructure, and ongoing Israeli military operations have left civilians heavily dependent on UNRWA for food assistance, shelter, medical care, and essential support.
Concern Over Political Pressure
The League also expressed concern over recent political efforts aimed at weakening the agency, including attempts by certain governments and organizations to reduce funding or question its legitimacy. It described these initiatives as coordinated attempts to undermine the internationally recognized rights of Palestinian refugees, despite the absence of any UN resolution modifying UNRWA’s legal mandate.
Concluding its statement, the Arab League called on the international community to uphold its legal and humanitarian responsibilities by protecting UNRWA from political pressure and ensuring the agency receives sustained financial and operational support. It warned that any attempt to weaken or dismantle the organization would not only jeopardize critical humanitarian services but also undermine the international legal framework established to safeguard Palestinian refugee rights until a just and lasting resolution is achieved.
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