International political consensus on Palestinians’ Right of Return

RAMALLAH, Jan 9, 2020 (WAFA) — Senior Palestinian official, Saeb Erekat, welcomed the renewal of UNRWA’s mandate, which he stressed reflects the international political consensus on the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes from which they were forcibly displaced.

This came during a meeting with Acting Commissioner-General of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Christian Saunders, and director of UNRWA operations in the West Bank, Gwyn Lewis, where he considered this renewal a restoration of respect to international law and UN resolutions.

Erekat briefed them on the latest political developments and condemned the continued Israeli violations, including plans to establish a school complex affiliated with the so-called Israeli Ministry of Education as an alternative to the UNRWA-run schools

“We have a lot of work to do in order to ensure the continuation of the work and mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and to continue to provide it with the necessary support to continue assuming its responsibilities towards Palestinian refugees in the diaspora and their homeland until their issue is resolved in a fair manner in accordance with UN Resolution 194,” said Erekat.

Erekat called for consolidating cooperation in order to confront the Israeli plans, especially in Jerusalem, until the end of the occupation and the fulfillment of the Palestinian people’s rights to freedom, independence and return.