Tag Archives: Middle East Conflict

The Next Step: Rethinking UNRWA

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I have become increasingly concerned about the role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the ongoing Middle East conflict. Recent allegations regarding its potential alignment with Hamas have heightened my unease. This issue transcends politics; it has deep implications for peace in a region that has experienced significant hardship. It seems timely to reassess the agency’s future and its impact on the people it serves.

The Historical Context: UNHCR and UNRWA

Reflecting on my family’s journey to Canada, I am reminded of the different paths that could have shaped our lives. We arrived in 1951, fleeing a war-torn Europe that offered few prospects for Jews like us. By 1956, we had proudly become Canadian citizens. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), established shortly before our arrival, has a clear mission: to aid and protect refugees and forcibly displaced communities. It offers pathways—such as voluntary repatriation, local integration, or resettlement—enabling refugees to rebuild their lives with dignity.

As of June 2020, the UNHCR had resettled over 20 million refugees within two to three years of gaining refugee status, illustrating the effectiveness of its approach. In contrast, the experience of Palestinian refugees under UNRWA’s mandate presents a very different picture.

UNRWA: An Overview

UNRWA was established in 1949 by the UN General Assembly to provide relief to all refugees displaced by the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, including both Jewish and Arab populations. However, over time, its focus has shifted exclusively to Palestinian Arab refugees. Unlike the UNHCR, which aims for resettlement and integration, UNRWA has maintained the “right of return” to Israel for Palestinian refugees, a sentiment passed down through generations. This unique definition of “refugee” includes descendants and those who have resettled or acquired citizenship in other countries.

Today, more than 5 million people are recognized as Palestinian refugees by UNRWA, many of whom assert a “right of return.” This ongoing demand complicates discussions about Israeli sovereignty and national identity. Additionally, the persistence of this issue contributes to the long-standing nature of the Israeli-Hamas conflict, especially in light of the recent increase in violence following October 7, 2023.

The Challenges with UNRWA

A significant issue with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is its unique status as the only UN agency dedicated solely to one group—Palestinian refugees—while other regions rely on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for support. This distinction has led some Palestinians to maintain their refugee status for decades, even while living in different countries, raising important questions about identity and belonging.

UNRWA’s approach has kept Palestinian refugees in a prolonged state of uncertainty and dependency for over 75 years. This situation may foster resentment and hinder efforts toward reconciliation, as prolonged dependency can perpetuate a cycle of conflict and instability. Without viable pathways for resettlement or integration, both refugees and the broader region struggle to break free from this cycle, leaving many feeling trapped in a limbo of displacement.

Einat Wilf, addressing UN delegations, argues that UNRWA has contributed to the Palestinian vision of “return” to pre-1948 lands—a perspective that challenges the legitimacy of Israeli statehood. This alignment with the notion of return has led to associations between UNRWA and groups advocating for the destruction of Israel, complicating pathways to peace and raising concerns about the agency’s neutrality. The agency’s role in shaping identity and belonging narratives cannot be overlooked.

In Gaza, for instance, international aid intended for rebuilding schools, hospitals, and homes has been diverted. Resources meant for civilian welfare have been redirected by Hamas toward military objectives, such as training militias and constructing tunnels for warfare. This diversion not only exacerbates the suffering of ordinary people but also undermines efforts to achieve stability and security for all parties involved.

The situation surrounding UNRWA underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of the agency’s role in the Israeli-Hamas conflict. To move toward lasting peace and stability in the region, it is essential to find viable pathways for resettlement and integration and hold accountable those who misuse humanitarian aid.

Moving Forward

It is crucial to reevaluate UNRWA’s role. This is not about dismissing refugees’ needs or legitimate concerns; it’s about breaking a cycle that has kept them trapped in ongoing conflict. Updating objectives, implementing rigorous oversight, and transitioning UNRWA’s responsibilities to the UNHCR could provide a pathway for meaningful progress.

Does Antisemitism Matter?

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In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, a flood of misinformation clouds the truth. This isn’t just a distant debate; it’s a struggle with real-life consequences, shaping perceptions and affecting communities worldwide. The rising tide of antisemitic rhetoric demands our attention, and it’s crucial to confront these falsehoods with truth and compassion. The impact is deeply personal and far-reaching, harming individuals and communities alike.

Bradley Martin’s article, The Soviet Roots of Far-Left Antisemitism, serves as an essential resource for understanding why antisemitism persists today. The Soviet Union’s Cold War strategy, which included supporting certain Middle Eastern groups and influencing the Palestine Liberation Organization’s charter, wasn’t just about geopolitical maneuvering. It planted seeds of distrust and animosity that continue to affect today’s conflicts and political discourse.

When prestigious universities like Oxford, Columbia, and Yale grapple with antisemitism, it becomes clear how deep and pervasive this problem is. This issue is not merely academic or political; it speaks to how we treat each other as human beings. Understanding the roots of this hatred allows us to address it with the empathy and seriousness it deserves.

The Personal Impact of Antisemitism

Misinformation about Israel and Judaism isn’t just abstract; it has genuine consequences for our communities. Harmful myths like “Zionism is racism” or “Israel is an apartheid state” fuel prejudice, discrimination, and even violence. The often-misattributed quote, “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it,” reveals the insidious power of persistent false narratives.

In 2023, the Anti-Defamation League reported a significant rise in antisemitic incidents worldwide, including acts of vandalism and harassment. The defacement of Jewish cemeteries in cities across the globe is not just a random act of hate—it’s a direct result of the spread of lies and misinformation. What may begin as rhetoric has real-world consequences, leading to dangerous cycles of violence and discrimination.

But what drives this hatred? To truly understand, we must delve into the ideologies that fuel these prejudices.

Understanding Ideological Roots

In Not In God’s Name: Confronting Religious Violence, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks urges us to consider how ideologies can distort our moral compass, leading us down paths of violence—a phenomenon he terms “altruistic evil.” He explains how extremist groups manipulate our natural desire to do good, twisting noble intentions into harmful beliefs that deepen prejudices.

Rabbi Sacks also examines the “us against them” mentality, which many of us have encountered in different forms. This mindset promotes hostility toward outsiders and encourages scapegoating, trapping communities in cycles of victimhood that stifle growth. By contrasting dualism—seeing the world as a battle between good and evil—with monotheism, which recognizes that each person is capable of good and bad actions, Rabbi Sacks offers a path toward mutual understanding and peace.

Moreover, he explores how antisemitism has been used to justify wrongs against Jews and Israel. These false narratives distort reality and deepen divisions. Rabbi Sacks warns that embracing a victim mentality ultimately undermines our shared humanity, a lesson we must heed as we navigate the complexities of modern life.

Pathways to Reconciliation

While these ideologies can feel deeply entrenched, history shows reconciliation is possible. Rabbi Sacks highlights the historic shift in relations between the Jewish community and the Vatican after the Holocaust as a powerful model for healing. The Nostra Aetate Declaration of 1965 was not just a symbolic gesture; it marked a profound change, demonstrating that even deeply rooted issues can be addressed with courage and dialogue.

In Jewish tradition, the concept of “teshuvah”—repentance or reconsideration—offers a way forward. It reminds us that even the most profound divisions can be healed with sincere effort and commitment. In a world increasingly divided by misinformation and hatred, teshuvah teaches us that reconciliation is always within reach—but only if we are willing to seek it.

Footnote:

  1. Martin, Bradley. “The Soviet Roots of Far-Left Antisemitism.” Newsweek, 18 May 2022, www.newsweek.com/soviet-roots-far-left-antisemitism-opinion-1707931.
  2. “Not in God’s Name: Confronting Religious Violence” by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks was published by Schocken Books in 2015.