We urge the Japanese & Western governments to immediately reinstate their funding to UNRWA
We urge the Japanese & Western governments to immediately reinstate their funding to UNRWA
The Issue
Japanese
We urge the Japanese government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to lift the suspension of funding to UNRWA. What the people of Gaza, who are suffering immensely, need is not collective punishment, but an immediate ceasefire and a resumption of humanitarian aid in accordance with international humanitarian law (see the recent ICJ ruling).
Every day, we witness the dire situation of the people in Gaza and the countless children who are being injured, maimed and killed. It is unacceptable for the international community to withhold funding based on claims made without any proof or evidence while the suffering and pain by the Palestinians in Gaza has been well documented and acknowledged by several bodies (courts, the UN etc.).
To those countries that decided to suspend funding to UNRWA based on unproven allegations (refer to the link below: source BBC) without suspending any funding to Israel in light of the ICJ ruling, we would like to say that, while it is indeed problematic if there was involvement of any UNRWA staff in the incident on October 7, funding should continue until the results of any investigation and a fair trial. It is completely irrational and a violation of the rule of law to abruptly cut off support, which can be seen as a form of collective punishment, without going through proper procedures, without demanding a ceasefire that is essential for the investigation, and without providing the necessary support.
Moreover, the contributions from Japan and the Western countries are for the Palestinians who became refugees in their own land and neighboring countries, and it is not acceptable for them to unilaterally terminate it after shirking their obligation to resolve the issue of Palestinian refugees.
Despite the ICJ issuing provisional measures specifically aimed at stopping Israel's genocidal acts, (para. 79 of the ICJ’s order dated 26 January 2024 https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240126-ord-01-00-en.pdf Israel continues to attack and kill unarmed civilians. Amidst the inability of humanitarian aid sent from around the world to reach the people of Gaza, the lack of funding increases and exacerbates the on-going situation of starvation, disease, injuries and loss of life.
We strongly urge Japan and all the other countries that have decided to suspend funding to reconsider and comply with the ICJ’s recent ruling to increase efforts to increase humanitarian aid in Gaza(para. 80 of the ICJ’s order dated 26 January 2024 https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240126-ord-01-00-en.pdf).
Funding and supporting UNRWA is more than economic support; it is a contribution to the preservation of the Palestinians in Gaza and to the upkeep of universal values of respect for life, peace, justice, and human rights that are given to all humans and it should not be abandoned. We urge Japan not to participate and be complicit in the on-going massacre but to make every effort to expand humanitarian aid and achieve an immediate ceasefire which it has done so for the past 70 years (70th anniversary of Japan’s support for UNRWA was in October 2023).
Here is a link to an article discussing news sources regarding suspicions and the United Nations' response:
(2024/02/11 Update)
UNRWA staff accused by Israel sacked without evidence, chief admits
UNRWA claims: UN chief in aid plea after staff accused of helping Hamas in Israel attack.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68119268.amp -BBC
Israel’s evidence of UNRWA Hamas allegations examined.
https://www.channel4.com/news/israels-evidence-of-unrwa-hamas-allegations-examined – Channel 4 News
The statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/pressite_000001_00122.html
The Issue
Japanese
We urge the Japanese government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to lift the suspension of funding to UNRWA. What the people of Gaza, who are suffering immensely, need is not collective punishment, but an immediate ceasefire and a resumption of humanitarian aid in accordance with international humanitarian law (see the recent ICJ ruling).
Every day, we witness the dire situation of the people in Gaza and the countless children who are being injured, maimed and killed. It is unacceptable for the international community to withhold funding based on claims made without any proof or evidence while the suffering and pain by the Palestinians in Gaza has been well documented and acknowledged by several bodies (courts, the UN etc.).
To those countries that decided to suspend funding to UNRWA based on unproven allegations (refer to the link below: source BBC) without suspending any funding to Israel in light of the ICJ ruling, we would like to say that, while it is indeed problematic if there was involvement of any UNRWA staff in the incident on October 7, funding should continue until the results of any investigation and a fair trial. It is completely irrational and a violation of the rule of law to abruptly cut off support, which can be seen as a form of collective punishment, without going through proper procedures, without demanding a ceasefire that is essential for the investigation, and without providing the necessary support.
Moreover, the contributions from Japan and the Western countries are for the Palestinians who became refugees in their own land and neighboring countries, and it is not acceptable for them to unilaterally terminate it after shirking their obligation to resolve the issue of Palestinian refugees.
Despite the ICJ issuing provisional measures specifically aimed at stopping Israel's genocidal acts, (para. 79 of the ICJ’s order dated 26 January 2024 https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240126-ord-01-00-en.pdf Israel continues to attack and kill unarmed civilians. Amidst the inability of humanitarian aid sent from around the world to reach the people of Gaza, the lack of funding increases and exacerbates the on-going situation of starvation, disease, injuries and loss of life.
We strongly urge Japan and all the other countries that have decided to suspend funding to reconsider and comply with the ICJ’s recent ruling to increase efforts to increase humanitarian aid in Gaza(para. 80 of the ICJ’s order dated 26 January 2024 https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240126-ord-01-00-en.pdf).
Funding and supporting UNRWA is more than economic support; it is a contribution to the preservation of the Palestinians in Gaza and to the upkeep of universal values of respect for life, peace, justice, and human rights that are given to all humans and it should not be abandoned. We urge Japan not to participate and be complicit in the on-going massacre but to make every effort to expand humanitarian aid and achieve an immediate ceasefire which it has done so for the past 70 years (70th anniversary of Japan’s support for UNRWA was in October 2023).
Here is a link to an article discussing news sources regarding suspicions and the United Nations' response:
(2024/02/11 Update)
UNRWA staff accused by Israel sacked without evidence, chief admits
UNRWA claims: UN chief in aid plea after staff accused of helping Hamas in Israel attack.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68119268.amp -BBC
Israel’s evidence of UNRWA Hamas allegations examined.
https://www.channel4.com/news/israels-evidence-of-unrwa-hamas-allegations-examined – Channel 4 News
The statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
https://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/pressite_000001_00122.html
Victory
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Petition created on February 9, 2024