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The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has warned that the future for Palestinians is “extremely uncertain”, in terms of whether the ceasefire in Gaza will hold and what the enclave’s reconstruction and future administration will look like.
Speaking to The National at the Munich Security Conference, Philippe Lazzarini said that the future of a Palestinian state itself is at risk.
His remarks came at a time when Arab countries are working on a reconstruction plan and a long-term political solution to counter US President Donald Trump’s plan to displace Palestinians into Jordan and Egypt. The Arab plan is expected to be revealed in the coming weeks, and Mr Lazzarini predicted there would be a political process that “certainly will end up with a reconstruction conference”.
He said he plans to reactivate the “temporary” nature of UNRWA, as had been intended when it was established to aid Palestinian refugees who were displaced after Israel was created. The agency, Mr Lazzarini said, “should now shift gear into a transition mode, and it is time now that the temporary nature of the agency to be retrieved”.
“We have been temporary for 75 years, lasting temporary,” he said. “That should be over, and that is the reason why it is so important that UNRWA be part of any political process.”
However, UNRWA’s immediate focus is on the ceasefire in Gaza. “We don’t know if the ceasefire will hold, and this is a reason why all the attention has to be put on the consolidation of the ceasefire, to allow it to go from stage one, to stage two, to stage three,” Mr Lazzarini said.
“We definitely all hope that the ceasefire will hold. It is a very fragile ceasefire. We were very much relieved when we saw that the three hostages have been released, and also hundreds of Palestinian detainees.”
Since the start of the ceasefire on January 19, the number of aid lorries entering Gaza has increased by at least tenfold. This, Mr Lazzarini said, shows that “if the political will is there, we can bring aid at scale to the Gaza Strip”. The increased delivery of aid has stopped “a deepening of hunger, and has prevented a situation of famine that humanitarian community was extremely worried about”, he added.
Late last month, an Israeli law came into force that effectively banned UNRWA from operating in Israeli-occupied territories. Asked if the agency could still deliver for the Palestinians, Mr Lazzarini said: “What choice do we have? If UNRWA collapses, what is the alternative?
“Our operating environment is becoming more and more difficult, but Knesset bills do not prevent the agency from providing critical services in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.”
If UNRWA ceased its operations, he added, “this would create a vacuum … that would mean that hundreds of thousands of girls and boys in Gaza and the West Bank would be deprived of education”.
Mr Lazzarini said the ban was “nothing less than a recipe for sowing seeds for more despair and for more extremism”. UNRWA schools and health centres continue to operate in the West Bank, and the agency’s staff have been providing services in Gaza since the ceasefire began. The agency has delivered food to more than 1.5 million people, and about 18,000 people visit UNRWA-run clinics each day.
In a demonstration of the value Palestinians place on education, more than 280,000 children have been registered to resume education, albeit remotely, at UNRWA-run schools since last month. However, the ban means that UNRWA no longer has any international staff in Jerusalem and that the agency cannot have any contact with Israeli authorities. “It is a no contact bill,” Mr Lazzarini said.
Asked if he had spoken to the US administration of President Donald Trump, Mr Lazzarini said: “I have reached out, but so far I have not had any contact.”
Given the reality in the Palestinian territories, Mr Lazzarini said that UNRWA “should shift into a transitional mode”.
“We should be generally invested in a political process, and here UNRWA can become a real asset in being part of such a process, in building the capacity of Palestinian institutions,” he said. “At the end of the process, we have an alternative, we have a recipient which can take over these activities.”
Mr Lazzarini pointed out that UNRWA has a critical funding shortfall which has persisted since Israel last year accused some of its employees of taking part in the Hamas attacks, prompting many donors – including the US – to suspend funding. While the UK and Europe have resumed donations, and Arab states have continued to provide support, funding for UNRWA “is still hand to mouth”, Mr Lazzarini said.
“The funding remains an existential threat, and this is further compounded by the massive political attack,” he added. “Ultimately, the funding issue is a political issue, because if there is a will, the funding can be made available.”
Mr Lazzarini’s team is working “to bring the mandate of the agency within a political framework which would clearly delineate what UNRWA can deliver”. Besides providing education, health care and a social safety net, Mr Lazzarini sees UNRWA’s role as “contributing to building the capacity of future Palestinian institutions”. But he warned there was a “risk that there won’t be a Palestine”.
“There is a risk of the annexation of the West Bank, and it becomes what we keep hearing about: Judea-Samaria, part of Greater Israel,” he said. “That would, indeed, be the end of the aspiration of the Palestinians for self-determination. It would be the end of a two-state solution, and this is why we have to redouble our commitment to a political process”.
Mr Lazzarini called for serious efforts to devise a plan that does not involve the displacement of Palestinians. Ensuring they remain in their homeland is in the interests of the Palestinians, and being “part of the broader ambition to promote stability in the region”, he added.
“The international community should not accept a situation of forced displacement, which would amount to ethnic cleansing. The Palestinians have the right to live in their homeland, there is no reason for them to be pushed outside,” he said. “I believe neighbouring countries have made the case, but I also believe that the international community has to stand up to make sure that international law is not so blatantly disregarded again, as we have seen over the past 15 months.”
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
SHAITTAN
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Stree
Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Movies
Director: Amar Kaushik
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee
Rating: 3.5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
SERIE A FIXTURES
Saturday
AC Milan v Sampdoria (2.30pm kick-off UAE)
Atalanta v Udinese (5pm)
Benevento v Parma (5pm)
Cagliari v Hellas Verona (5pm)
Genoa v Fiorentina (5pm)
Lazio v Spezia (5pm)
Napoli v Crotone (5pm)
Sassuolo v Roma (5pm)
Torino v Juventus (8pm)
Bologna v Inter Milan (10.45pm)
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
The past Palme d'Or winners
2018 Shoplifters, Hirokazu Kore-eda
2017 The Square, Ruben Ostlund
2016 I, Daniel Blake, Ken Loach
2015 Dheepan, Jacques Audiard
2014 Winter Sleep (Kış Uykusu), Nuri Bilge Ceylan
2013 Blue is the Warmest Colour (La Vie d'Adèle: Chapitres 1 et 2), Abdellatif Kechiche, Adele Exarchopoulos and Lea Seydoux
2012 Amour, Michael Haneke
2011 The Tree of Life, Terrence Malick
2010 Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (Lung Bunmi Raluek Chat), Apichatpong Weerasethakul
2009 The White Ribbon (Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte), Michael Haneke
2008 The Class (Entre les murs), Laurent Cantet
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 4 (Mount 18',Werner 44', Hudson-Odoi 49', Havertz 85')
Morecambe 0
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
The five pillars of Islam
Jordan cabinet changes
In
- Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
- Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
- Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
- Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
- Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
- Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
- Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth
Out
- Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
- Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
- Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
- Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
- Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
- Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
- Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
- Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
- Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
- Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
- Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
- Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
ALL THE RESULTS
Bantamweight
Siyovush Gulmomdov (TJK) bt Rey Nacionales (PHI) by decision.
Lightweight
Alexandru Chitoran (ROU) bt Hussein Fakhir Abed (SYR) by submission.
Catch 74kg
Omar Hussein (JOR) bt Tohir Zhuraev (TJK) by decision.
Strawweight (Female)
Seo Ye-dam (KOR) bt Weronika Zygmunt (POL) by decision.
Featherweight
Kaan Ofli (TUR) bt Walid Laidi (ALG) by TKO.
Lightweight
Abdulla Al Bousheiri (KUW) bt Leandro Martins (BRA) by TKO.
Welterweight
Ahmad Labban (LEB) bt Sofiane Benchohra (ALG) by TKO.
Bantamweight
Jaures Dea (CAM) v Nawras Abzakh (JOR) no contest.
Lightweight
Mohammed Yahya (UAE) bt Glen Ranillo (PHI) by TKO round 1.
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) bt Aidan Aguilera (AUS) by TKO round 1.
Welterweight
Mounir Lazzez (TUN) bt Sasha Palatkinov (HKG) by TKO round 1.
Featherweight title bout
Romando Dy (PHI) v Lee Do-gyeom (KOR) by KO round 1.
The years Ramadan fell in May
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo 4-cyl
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Power: 190bhp
Torque: 300Nm
Price: Dh169,900
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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
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Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
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Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
