Bethlehem/PNN/

Refugee Affairs Department at Palestine Liberation Organization welcomed United Nations General Assembly vote  to renew the mandate of UNRWA for the next three yaers.

Member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Head of the Refugee Affairs Department, Dr. Ahmed Abu Holi, welcomed the vote of the United Nations General Assembly, to renew the mandate of UNRWA for the next three years, by an overwhelming majority, starting from June 30, 2023 until June 30, 2026.

Abu Holi said in a statement that the vote expresses the strong political support of the international community for UNRWA to continue its work in serving the Palestinian refugees until a just solution to their issue is found through their return to their homes from which they were expelled in 1948 in accordance with what was stated in Resolution 194, stressing that renewing The mandate represents a major victory for justice, international law, Palestinian refugees and UNRWA.

He pointed out that the vote proved that the overwhelming majority of the international community still supports the right of return of Palestinian refugees, which is supported by international law and United Nations resolutions, foremost of which is Resolution 194.

Dr. Ahmed Abu Houli expressed his thanks for the positions of the countries that voted in favor of the renewal decision, asking them to translate it into practice with multi-year funding for the UNRWA budget to ensure the continuation of its work and services provided to the Palestinian refugees.

On Monday, the United Nations General Assembly voted on four resolutions in favor of Palestine, including the decision to extend the mandate of the "UNRWA" agency. 5 countries opposed it (Israel, Canada, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and the United States), and 4 countries abstained from voting.

Also, 157 countries voted in favor of the resolution "providing assistance to Palestinian refugees", while one country (Israel) voted against it, and 10 countries abstained from voting.

153 countries voted in favor of the “Palestinian refugee property and revenues from it” resolution, while 6 countries voted against it (Canada, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, and America), and 6 countries abstained from voting.

141 countries also voted in favor of the resolution condemning "Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem", while 7 countries voted against it (Canada, Israel, Hungary, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Micronesia and America) and 21 countries abstained.