UNRWA policy discussions often waste precious activist energy on the unachievable goal of getting rid of UNRWA – which would require the agreement of a majority of UN members. However, the UN will never vote for a measure that openly favors Israel. Instead, UNRWA policy change must be articulated in terms of universal United Nations values, which stress peace and reconciliation. It cannot be presented as a pro-Israel resolution. The working assumption is that UN members and relief agencies* funding the $1.6 billion UNRWA budget, 58% of which is earmarked for education**, ascribe to UN values of peace and reconciliation. UNRWA policy change must therefore be couched as an UNRWA Peace initiative, for UNRWA to conform to UN values.
Family members of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip and activists protest for the release of all the hostages in Gaza, outside the Prime Minister’s office in Jerusalem, February 11, 2025. (Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
After repeated threats by the U.S. and Israel, Hamas declared its decision to continue the hostage release deal in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners on Thursday afternoon.















