Belize Calls for Reopening of UNRWA Office in East Jerusalem Amid Protests

Belize has joined the international community in calling for the reopening of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) office in East Jerusalem. Last week, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade issued a release lamenting the temporary closure of the office, which came on the heels of escalated protests in the area. The ministry stated that the international community must remind Israel of its mandate to protect UN facilities and personnel in the occupied Palestinian territories. Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Francis Fonseca echoed the importance of Belize using its diplomatic channels to bring awareness to the issue. 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “The UNRWA plays a very very important role and in terms of humanitarian assistance and responding to the needs of refugees so it’s unfortunate and we hope that it’s a temporary closure and that they can get the funding and financing they need to reopen because they serve a very important purpose.”

The UNRWA operates in five Middle Eastern countries.