NEW YORK, January 28, 2025 — Somalia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Abukar Dahir Osman, strongly criticized Israel’s recent legislative measures targeting the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) during a UN Security Council briefing on Thursday.
In his statement, Amb. Abukar called Israel’s actions a “deliberate attempt to exacerbate suffering” for millions of Palestinian refugees who rely on UNRWA’s critical services, including education, healthcare, and social support. He warned that restricting the agency’s operations violates international law and undermines stability in the region.
“UNRWA has been a lifeline for 5.9 million Palestinian refugees for over 70 years,” Abukar Osman said. He highlighted that the agency educates 540,000 children annually and provides vital healthcare, calling any disruption to these services a threat to “hope and survival.”
The ambassador accused Israel of failing its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention, which requires occupying powers to ensure the welfare of populations under their control. He urged the international community to demand Israel cease its restrictions on UNRWA and reaffirm support for the agency’s mission.
Osman linked the Palestinian refugee crisis to global security, stressing that neglecting basic human needs often fuels conflict. “Where despair grows, so too do the risks of further violence,” he stated.
While welcoming a recent ceasefire, Somalia emphasized that temporary measures are insufficient. Osman called for a “just and lasting peace,” including an independent Palestinian state within 1967 borders, East Jerusalem as its capital, and the right of return for refugees under UN Resolution 194.
The statement concluded with an appeal for solidarity: “The Palestinian cause demands justice, not temporary fixes. Supporting UNRWA is not just humanitarian—it is a matter of global peace.”
The briefing, convened by Algeria, included remarks from UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini and humanitarian official Jan Egeland. Somalia’s intervention reflects growing concern over escalating tensions and the urgent need to safeguard humanitarian aid in conflict zones.
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