Donors Encouraged To Support UNRWA Peace Initiative For Lasting Gaza Peace

To that end, UNRWA donor nations can adopt a five-point peace initiative that addresses key concerns and challenges:

1. Cancellation of the new UNRWA war curriculum: The current curriculum, which emphasizes Jihad, martyrdom, and the “right of return by force of arms,” contradicts the principles of peace education advocated by the UN. UNRWA should prioritize a curriculum that promotes peace, coexistence, and mutual understanding among students.
2. Disarmament of UNRWA schools and cessation of paramilitary training: It is crucial to ensure that UNRWA schools are strictly focused on education, free from any form of militarization or association with armed groups. The proximity of arms training and missile launches to UNRWA premises is a contradiction to the agency’s commitment to peace.
3. Dismissal of employees affiliated with terrorist organizations: Donor nations should insist that UNRWA adheres to the laws forbidding aid to any agency that employs members of terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad, or Fatah. This step is essential to uphold the values of peace and security.
4. Adoption of UNHCR standards for refugee resettlement: UNRWA should embrace the principles and practices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to address the long-standing issue of refugee status. By advancing resettlement efforts for fourth and fifth-generation refugees from the 1948 war, UNRWA can provide a path towards a more stable and prosperous future for these individuals and their descendants.
5. Audit of donor funds: To ensure transparency and accountability, an independent audit of donor funds is necessary. With contributions flowing in from 68 nations, such an audit would address concerns regarding resource mismanagement, duplication of services, and potential funding of terrorist groups operating within UNRWA.

By championing this UNRWA peace initiative, donors can contribute to a significant paradigm shift in the agency’s operations. The initiative seeks to align UNRWA with the principles of peace, education, and development, while addressing the challenges that have hindered progress in the region for far too long.

To achieve lasting peace and stability in Gaza, it is crucial to address the root causes of conflict and foster an environment of coexistence and understanding. Through the adoption of this comprehensive peace initiative, UNRWA donors can play a pivotal role in shaping a brighter future for the people of Gaza and promoting a lasting peace in the region. By actively supporting the cancellation of the new UNRWA war curriculum, donors can ensure that education in Gaza promotes the values of peace, tolerance, and respect for all. Disarming UNRWA schools and ceasing paramilitary training in their vicinity will remove the dangerous presence of weapons and violence from educational settings, fostering a safe and conducive environment for learning. 

Additionally, demanding the dismissal of employees affiliated with terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad, or Fatah will ensure that the agency upholds the highest standards of integrity and security.

Furthermore, adopting UNHCR standards to advance the resettlement of fourth and fifth-generation refugees from the 1948 war is essential in providing a path towards stability and self-sufficiency for those who have been living in refugee status for decades. Embracing a pragmatic approach that acknowledges the realities on the ground and encourages resettlement will empower these individuals and allow them to build a better future for themselves and their families.