😁
1/
It comes as no surprise to all who follow developments that the events related to UNWRA and its actions will be used as a pretext to shut down the organization altogether.
This by no means takes lightly the fact that some UNRWA staff were involved in the Oct. 7 slaughter.
1/
It comes as no surprise to all who follow developments that the events related to UNWRA and its actions will be used as a pretext to shut down the organization altogether.
This by no means takes lightly the fact that some UNRWA staff were involved in the Oct. 7 slaughter.
2/
The participation of some employees (the precise number not yet known), needs to be thoroughly investigated, as does any negligence on the part of management.
The participation of some employees (the precise number not yet known), needs to be thoroughly investigated, as does any negligence on the part of management.
3/
The calls to dismantle UNRWA have been made for years and have erupted once again in the past 48 hours. As we shall see, that's neither new nor surprising.
jewishpress.com/news/global/un…
The calls to dismantle UNRWA have been made for years and have erupted once again in the past 48 hours. As we shall see, that's neither new nor surprising.
jewishpress.com/news/global/un…
4/
In 2018, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat publicly called for the expulsion of UNRWA from Jerusalem.
Having happened before, this time was unique, in that Barkat to say the quite part out loud.
jns.org/barkat-announc…
In 2018, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat publicly called for the expulsion of UNRWA from Jerusalem.
Having happened before, this time was unique, in that Barkat to say the quite part out loud.
jns.org/barkat-announc…
5/
Barkat bluntly stated out loud what the actual goal of shutting down UNRWA really is:
"'We are putting an end to the lie of the ‘Palestinian refugee problem.’"
This is a customary technique, tried & true. Call the West Bank "Judea and Sameria", and poof - it's not occupied.
Barkat bluntly stated out loud what the actual goal of shutting down UNRWA really is:
"'We are putting an end to the lie of the ‘Palestinian refugee problem.’"
This is a customary technique, tried & true. Call the West Bank "Judea and Sameria", and poof - it's not occupied.
6/
Take Naqba out of the textbooks, and it's proof that it never existed.
Demand that allies call the occupied West Bank &disputed and call Jerusalem united, and the occupation no longer exists.
Dismantle UNWRA, and "the Palestinian refugee" problem has been solved. Poof!
Take Naqba out of the textbooks, and it's proof that it never existed.
Demand that allies call the occupied West Bank &disputed and call Jerusalem united, and the occupation no longer exists.
Dismantle UNWRA, and "the Palestinian refugee" problem has been solved. Poof!
7/
Now to realities on the ground here in Jerusalem. UNRWA was active in East Jerusalem since 1949. It provided humanitarian aid to the refugees from the 1948 war in East Jerusalem: schools, food rations, health care etc.
Now to realities on the ground here in Jerusalem. UNRWA was active in East Jerusalem since 1949. It provided humanitarian aid to the refugees from the 1948 war in East Jerusalem: schools, food rations, health care etc.
8/
Ironically it was UNWRA that initiated and funded the resettlement of 28 refugees in Sheikh Jarrah. It is these refugee families in Sheikh Jarah where government-backed settlers are attempting to displace them.
UNWRA's role changed in 1967, but much remained unchanged.
Ironically it was UNWRA that initiated and funded the resettlement of 28 refugees in Sheikh Jarrah. It is these refugee families in Sheikh Jarah where government-backed settlers are attempting to displace them.
UNWRA's role changed in 1967, but much remained unchanged.
0/
As confirmed by Israeli courts, Israel has failed to build enough schools for Palestinians in East Jerusalem, where there is a classroom deficit of almost 2000 classrooms.
Were it not for the UNRWA schools, thousands of Palestinian kids would be on the streets, not in school.
As confirmed by Israeli courts, Israel has failed to build enough schools for Palestinians in East Jerusalem, where there is a classroom deficit of almost 2000 classrooms.
Were it not for the UNRWA schools, thousands of Palestinian kids would be on the streets, not in school.
10/
It should come as no surprise that the Jerusalem Municipality have been trying for years to shut down UNRWA schools, without being capable of replacing them.
There are two areas in Jerusalem where UNWRA's presence is especially vital: the Shuafat Refugee Camp and Kaf'r Aqb.
It should come as no surprise that the Jerusalem Municipality have been trying for years to shut down UNRWA schools, without being capable of replacing them.
There are two areas in Jerusalem where UNWRA's presence is especially vital: the Shuafat Refugee Camp and Kaf'r Aqb.
11/
The Shuafat Refugee Camp is within the Municipal borders as defined by Israel, on Jerusalem's eastern flank, and Kafr Aq'b a neighborhood in the northern reaches of the city.
While both are in the city, they have been excised from Jerusalem by the separation barrier/wall.
The Shuafat Refugee Camp is within the Municipal borders as defined by Israel, on Jerusalem's eastern flank, and Kafr Aq'b a neighborhood in the northern reaches of the city.
While both are in the city, they have been excised from Jerusalem by the separation barrier/wall.
12/
While the inadequacy of municipal services exists throughout East Jerusalem, on the other side of the barrier in Kafr Aq'b these services all but collapse.
Much of that void is filled, in part, by UNRWA.
While the inadequacy of municipal services exists throughout East Jerusalem, on the other side of the barrier in Kafr Aq'b these services all but collapse.
Much of that void is filled, in part, by UNRWA.
13/
Defunding UNRWA will lead to the destruction of the major source of governmental and municipal services in Kafr Aq'b and the Shuafat RF, with no one, including Israel, in a position to replace them.
If that sounds familiar, it should.
Defunding UNRWA will lead to the destruction of the major source of governmental and municipal services in Kafr Aq'b and the Shuafat RF, with no one, including Israel, in a position to replace them.
If that sounds familiar, it should.
14/
After all that, should any of you doubt that this is happening, we are once again indebted to former Mayor Barkat, who at times inadverently gives things away.
In 2018, the Trump Administration stopped US funding to UNRWA.
After all that, should any of you doubt that this is happening, we are once again indebted to former Mayor Barkat, who at times inadverently gives things away.
In 2018, the Trump Administration stopped US funding to UNRWA.
15/
In the context of Trump's decision, Barkat stated:
“The US decision has created a rare opportunity to replace UNRWA’s services with services of the Jerusalem Municipality".
Been there, done that.
In the context of Trump's decision, Barkat stated:
“The US decision has created a rare opportunity to replace UNRWA’s services with services of the Jerusalem Municipality".
Been there, done that.
*🧵
16/
In 2005, I represented the Israeli Supreme Court and matters concerning the building of the separation wall. I was working on a daily basis not only the residents of the camp, but also the IDF and the border, both in court and out in the field.
In 2005, I represented the Israeli Supreme Court and matters concerning the building of the separation wall. I was working on a daily basis not only the residents of the camp, but also the IDF and the border, both in court and out in the field.
17/
There was a consensus among out security people: dismantling UNRWA would have a major destabilizing impact on the Palestinian communities, and it would be folly to do so.
At times these officers would say so publicly. In today's Israel, saying the same would be risky.
There was a consensus among out security people: dismantling UNRWA would have a major destabilizing impact on the Palestinian communities, and it would be folly to do so.
At times these officers would say so publicly. In today's Israel, saying the same would be risky.
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