EU's Borrell Emphasizes Need for Support in Gaza and Unity on UNRWA Funding

On Tuesday, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, addressed the press following the Informal Foreign Affairs Council (Development) meeting, highlighting key discussions on development assistance, the situation in Gaza, and the vital role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Borrell welcomed UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini and praised the €50 billion financial support approved by the European Council for Ukraine, emphasizing its importance for the country's stability beyond the current conflict. The discussions also ventured into the critical situation in Gaza, with alarming reports of a potential Israeli military action in the southern part of the region, threatening hundreds of thousands of civilians.

The meeting acknowledged UNRWA's longstanding commitment to protecting civilians since its inception in 1949, with Borrell highlighting the agency's indispensable support to over 2 million people in Gaza alone. He noted UNRWA's extensive network, including 706 schools and 140 health facilities, that serve millions across the region.

Borrell also addressed the swift actions taken by UNRWA and the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in response to allegations concerning staff involvement in terrorist activities, assuring a thorough investigation and audit in full transparency and cooperation with donors, particularly the EU, which stands as a significant contributor.

The High Representative underscored the catastrophic implications of discontinuing UNRWA's support, not only from a humanitarian perspective but also for regional stability and European interests. He advocated for continued and even increased support for UNRWA, despite the divisive views among EU Member States, emphasizing the agency's irreplaceable role in providing essential services to millions of Palestinian refugees.

Borrell concluded by reaffirming the EU's commitment to finding a lasting solution to the Palestinian refugee issue, advocating for a two-state solution as the ultimate resolution, rather than dissolving UNRWA, which would only exacerbate the problem.