Palestinian ambassador thanks Ireland for ‘strong and continued support’

The Palestinian ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, has thanked the Irish people for “strong and continued” support for the United National Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees (Unrwa).

Speaking at the Social Democrats annual conference in Dublin the ambassador referred to Ireland’s additional funding of €20 million in support for Unrwa announced on Thursday. She also thanked Ireland for the Government’s urging of countries that have suspended funding to resume and even expand support to the agency.

Dr Wahba Abdalmajid said: “I owe a great gratitude to Ireland and Irish people for the constant and strong support for justice and human rights, and for the just cause of the Palestinian people.”

She thanked the State for the “constant support for Unrwa“, saying she knew “many countries in the international community suspended their support for Unrwa”.

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“Thank you Ireland, thank you to the Irish people, and thank you to the Social Democrats for having me tonight” with you, she said.

Unrwa, which provides healthcare, education and other services to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and across the Middle East, is currently under investigation following allegations by Israel that 12 of its staff were involved in the October 7th Hamas-led attack on Israel which sparked the bombardment of Gaza.

Dr Wahba Abdalmajid said Palestine was facing ethnic cleansing and genocide. “We are a just cause, and our Palestine people deserve to live.”

She said the October 7th attacks on Israelis did not happen out of nowhere. “It was due to the continuing occupation of Palestine and the continuing policies of persecution and oppression. This has been our narrative for more than 75 years.”

Earlier Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns said the “absolute disregard” Israel showed for Palestinian lives “is appalling”.

“Senior Israeli government officials, including the prime minister, the president, the minister for defence, have clearly expressed genocidal intent. It is on us in every country to act when we hear that. There is no greater crime on Earth.”

Unrwa, which provides healthcare, education and other services to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and across the Middle East, is currently under investigation following allegations by Israel that 12 of its staff were involved in the October 7th Hamas-led attack on Israel which sparked the bombardment of Gaza.

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