Fatah Officials Discuss Protecting Refugee Rights Amid UNRWA Targeting

Ahmed Abu Holi, a member of the PLO Executive Committee and Fatah Central Committee and head of the Refugees Affairs Department, met with the Refugees Committee of Fatah's Revolutionary Council in Ramallah. The meeting focused on strategies to protect refugee rights, enhance their presence in national and organizational work, and counter the ongoing targeting of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and Palestinian refugee camps.

Abu Holi emphasized that the refugee issue is central to the Palestinian cause. He affirmed that the Palestine Liberation Organization, as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, will continue its national responsibilities in safeguarding refugees' rights, particularly the right of return, based on UN Resolution 194. He also briefed the committee on the Palestinian leadership's efforts to monitor the conditions of refugees and camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and diaspora, and to resist attempts to undermine UNRWA's mandate and role, stressing its importance based on UN General Assembly Resolution 302.

Abu Holi outlined the Refugees Affairs Department's action plans and strategies to protect refugee rights, support their interests, and bolster their resilience in camps. He also detailed plans for political, media, and public engagement to counter schemes aimed at liquidating the refugee issue and ending UNRWA's function.

Hassan Faraj, head of the Refugees Committee in the Revolutionary Council, highlighted the importance of strengthening the committee's role and keeping the refugee issue at the forefront of Fatah's organizational and political work. He specifically mentioned the targeting of refugees and camps, including those in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams, and efforts to undermine UNRWA's work, particularly in Jerusalem, Shuafat camp, and the Qalandia Institute.

The meeting also discussed various proposals and recommendations concerning refugees' situations across their locations and ways to improve joint work between the Refugees Affairs Department and the Revolutionary Council's Refugees Committee to strengthen national and organizational unity in defending the refugee cause and their legitimate rights.