Between Syria and Gaza, the situation of Palestinian refugees even more stuck

(BRUSSELS2) “Unfortunately, what I have to tell you will not warm up the atmosphere of this assembly". It was with these words that Filippo Grandi, director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) began his speech to MEPs on Thursday (September 6). He had come the last time, a year ago, to present his vision of the situation to the members of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee. "The habit of UNWRA Commissioners is to talk about forgotten causeshe admits. And yet today he thinks the Palestinian cause is even more marginalized than it was a year ago. "Palestinian refugees are stuck in Gaza and now stuck in Syria, stuck physically and stuck by the political situation»

For Palestinian refugees,this is the moment in recent history when their situation is the most stagnant". F. Grandi sees nothing moving for the recognition of the Palestinian state, nothing moving at the level of internal politics. And what does he think of the status quo? "The status quo: if you are Palestinian, there is no status quo» he declares in front of the MEPs.

His observation is all the more unfortunate when he contextualizes it. The region is extremely dynamic “in many ways, positive and tragic ". A year ago, there was a lot of hope due to the dynamism of this region. Today, the trend is towards concern, especially with Syria. 

Palestinians still stuck in Gaza

« Gaza is already a forgotten crisis. The symbol that shows how Palestinians no longer capture international attention ". Today, the UNWRA is struggling to find enough to finance basic necessities while "not long ago everyone wanted to help us". According to the director of the agency, socio-cultural programs had to be drastically reduced to finance food in particular. The report "Gaza in 2020written in part by UN experts and giving predictions for the situation in Gaza in 2020, is not a very happy read ". Filippo Grandi pointed out to MEPs that a young Palestinian set himself on fire a few days ago, and two others followed him. An act that has become symbolic in the Arab world...

The illegal and counterproductive blockade of Gaza

Nevertheless, the Arab Spring has opened up new horizons. " It is perhaps now to Egypt that we must look to achieve improvements and political stabilizationin Gaza. " But the two groups (Fatah and Hamas) who take advantage of people's frustration are increasingly influential ". Moreover, according to him, the blockade will have to be broken down before real stabilization can be achieved. "The blockade will not ensure the security of the countries in the region, be it Israel or Egypt." For this, Europeans would have to ask "until the blockade is liftedaware that there is of course the question of Israel's security which must also be taken into account. " The blockade is illegal and counterproductive "Before adding"If international law is not respected, it must be said! It is necessary, according to him, to lift the embargo little by little and to increase aid to Gaza. Over the past two years, UNWRA has maintained constructive relations with Israel with a view to developing a number of projects, particularly to develop the private sector. Economically, his speech is no more jovial. "We must not forget that Gaza's economy is based on the black market and international subsidies. It can't go on for very long." he explains, before exclaiming “We help 2 million people!”

Regarding the situation in the rest of the Palestinian territories, illegal settlements including in East Jerusalem continue to expand while their dismantling elsewhere is progressing very slowly. "Settlers are increasingly aggressive". "We must demand that the rule of law be applied said Grandi firmly. "It is important to invest in projects in Region C (*) and in East Jerusalem where the Palestinians are under the most pressure. "

 Syria, the latest hell for the Palestinians

«Syria symbolizes the vulnerability that has plagued Palestinians for decades, a vulnerability they of course share with Syrians and other refugees today. People are very, very afraid. We don't know who we'll meet around the corner". Filippo Grandi indeed explains that the population is suffering terrible threats from all groups, government troops, pro-government militias and anti-government militias. "It's a situation that has no future." he admits. There are 500.000 Palestinians in Syria, particularly around urban centers, Damascus and other major cities. "As we know, these urban centers are at the heart of the conflict».

«Before the civil war, Syria was one of the most stable places for Palestinians.” he explains. In the first phase of the conflict, they were able to stay out of it, "but unfortunately the conflict is catching up with them. We believe that today half Palestinians (250.000) is affected by the conflict". Affected by the conflict, ie by security problems which very often force them to move. More and more people are displaced within the country, to safer places, to families in other regions, to public buildings, etc. Moreover, it is often these people who need the most medical help.

On top of that, there is the economic crisis in Syria. Most of the Syrian economy is made up of its SMEs. And most of them close. In Aleppo, 75% of SMEs are closing their doors and UNWRA can only remedy this crisis by distributing basic necessities.

Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, not much better

Until not very long ago, Palestinians from Iraq fled to Jordan or Syria because the situation there was particularly difficult for them. Today they seem to be returning to Iraq. A fact that gives an idea of ​​the sustainability of the situation of Palestinian refugees.

In Lebanon and Jordan, Grandi does not want to risk giving figures on the number of refugees. However, the Palestinians in both countries constitute a very complex element of the national situation. It is for this reason that for UNWRA, if it is necessary to support the situation in Syria, “I also ask you to support neighboring countries to accept the humanitarian burdenand that they let the refugees in despite the complexity.

The UNWRA program, beyond the Syrian conflict

Despite the Syrian crisis, UNWRA must continue with its program "normal» . "We are underfunded. We are short of 40 billion euros. A very limited amount compared to what you are used to here. I spoke to the Commission about it. I know she's trying to free up funds.” As parliamentarians prepare to vote on the new budget, he calls "politicians, à “really looking where to act».

European aid still in the majority

« Donors are mainly European ". Of the billion available per year, the European Union (Member States and Commission) provides more or less 40% and the United States between 20 and 25% of humanitarian aid for Palestinian refugees. The Arab countries are also present. Saudi Arabia in particular, which was the third largest donor last year. "It's increasing, but it's very unpredictable". Brazil too, emerging countries are also getting more and more involved...

The director of the agency will end his presentation with his greatest regret, that of noting such a political deficit on the issue. "The Security Council is not in a position to ensure people's safety. That's a political deficit».

(*) Zone C corresponds to one of the three administrative divisions born of the Oslo Accords and corresponds to 60% of the West Bank territory although it now only includes 4% of the Palestinian population of the West Bank.