"Refugee Affairs" and the Executive Office of the Popular Committees: We Reject the Preconditions for the Return of Displaced Persons to Camps in Northern West Bank

SadaNews - The Department of Refugee Affairs and the Executive Office of the Popular Committees for Refugees in the Palestine Liberation Organization affirmed their firm position rejecting any Israeli attempts to impose preconditions on the return of displaced persons to camps in northern West Bank, which constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and international legitimacy resolutions.

The Department of Refugee Affairs and the Executive Office of the Popular Committees reiterated, in a statement issued today, Saturday, their absolute rejection of any Israeli attempts aimed at altering the geographic and demographic realities of the camps, emphasizing that these attempts are destined to fail.

The statement confirmed the complete rejection of any precondition involving a "security clearance" for camp residents, considering it an infringement on fundamental rights and an attempt to impose security control over the lives of refugees. Palestinian refugees are not merely beneficiaries of services; they are holders of political and human rights, and they fully have the right to express their opinions and defend their cause.

The statement stressed that the UNRWA mandate is non-negotiable, and thus there is an outright rejection of any preconditions aimed at preventing the work of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the camps, given that UNRWA possesses a clear and ongoing international mandate since the adoption of resolution 302 (D-4) on December 8, 1949. Any attempt to disrupt UNRWA's work is merely part of a broader plan aimed at liquidating the refugee issue, which we will not allow under any circumstances.

It pointed out that the just and lasting solution to the refugee issue lies in the implementation of UN Resolution 194 and all relevant international legitimacy resolutions.

The statement warned of Israel's intentions to redefine the Palestinian refugee, stressing that the definition cannot be reshaped according to the interests of the occupation.