League of Arab States affirms its full support for UNRWA

Ambassador Fayed Mustafa, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Palestine and Occupied Arab Territories Sector at the Arab League, received Roland Friedrich, Acting Director of UNRWA’s Cairo Office. Friedrich presented a detailed overview of the serious challenges facing the agency’s work, particularly in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Friedrich explained that the Israeli occupation authorities continue to target UNRWA, especially in occupied East Jerusalem, noting the destruction of the agency’s main headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. He emphasized that UNRWA continues to carry out its duties despite the pressures and difficulties in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.

He noted that the agency's budget deficit of approximately $200 million is hindering its ability to carry out its essential tasks in serving Palestinian refugees, and called on states to support UNRWA's urgent appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory for 2026.

Ambassador Dr. Faed Mustafa affirmed the League of Arab States' unwavering support for UNRWA, stating that targeting UNRWA is part of attempts to eliminate the Palestinian refugee issue. He indicated that the General Secretariat will continue its efforts to support the agency, preserve its UN mandate, and enable it to provide its indispensable services.