India has voted in favour of a UN General Assembly resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) for the next three years. The resolution, taken up under the agenda Assistance to Palestine refugees, passed with 151 votes in support, while 10 countries opposed it and 14 abstained.

 

 

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini welcomed the strong backing, calling it an expression of global solidarity with Palestine refugees and a reminder of the international community’s responsibility toward their humanitarian and development needs. UNRWA provides education, healthcare, social services, protection, camp improvements, microfinance and emergency support to Palestinian refugees.

 

 

Israel opposed the renewal, claiming the agency has enabled Hamas’s military buildup. The countries voting against the resolution included the US, Israel, Argentina, Fiji, Hungary, North Macedonia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay and Tonga. Fourteen nations abstained.