Latest news with #DepartmentofPalestinianAffairs
Jordan News
20-07-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
Jordan at Cairo Conference: Israel Continues Policies to Judaize Jerusalem and Alter Its Demographic Composition
Jordan participated in the 113th session of the Conference of Supervisors of Palestinian Affairs in Arab Host Countries, represented by Eng. Rafiq Khirfan, Director General of the Department of Palestinian Affairs. The meeting was held at the headquarters of the League of Arab States in Cairo. اضافة اعلان Khirfan affirmed that Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, continues its strong support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and rejects any attempts to undermine its mandate or reduce its services, emphasizing that supporting the agency is an international responsibility that must not be abandoned. He referred to King Abdullah II's consistent calls in international forums highlighting the agency's central role in maintaining regional stability and safeguarding the rights of Palestinian refugees. Khirfan reiterated Jordan's firm and unwavering stance in support of the Palestinian cause and the rights of the Palestinian people, who have endured severe violations by the Israeli occupation for over 600 days and are currently facing an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. He added that Israel, as the occupying power, continues its systematic efforts to Judaize Jerusalem, alter its demographic structure, and impose full control over the Al-Haram Al-Sharif, in a blatant violation of the Hashemite Custodianship over the Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, a role internationally recognized and upheld by His Majesty the King. Khirfan pointed out that UNRWA has suffered grave violations at the hands of the Israeli occupation, including the targeting of dozens of its facilities in the Gaza Strip—especially schools sheltering displaced civilians—resulting in hundreds of casualties, including women and children, and the death of over 317 UNRWA staff members. In the West Bank, the agency faces escalating challenges due to Israeli measures aimed at undermining its legal presence, particularly in occupied Jerusalem. He also highlighted that UNRWA is currently facing a severe funding crisis due to the suspension of contributions by several donor countries, coupled with an organized political campaign seeking to delegitimize it, posing a direct threat to its ability to continue providing essential services to over 5.9 million Palestinian refugees. Khirfan stressed the importance of enhancing Arab and international coordination among host and donor countries to ensure the renewal of UNRWA's mandate at the UN General Assembly without amendment or restriction, while also emphasizing the need to respect the sovereignty of host countries regarding educational curricula, in coordination with UNRWA. The conference discusses multiple critical issues related to the Palestinian cause, including the ongoing aggression on Gaza, the separation wall, settlement expansion, the status of Palestinian refugees, and UNRWA's operations and financial situation.
Ammon
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Ammon
Norwegian Foreign Minister visits Al Hussein Camp
Ammon News - Director General of the Department of Palestinian Affairs, Rafiq Khirfan, received Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide during an official visit to Al Hussein refugee camp on Wednesday to assess the living conditions of Palestinian refugees and the challenges they continue to face. The visit was also attended by UNRWA Deputy Commissioner-General Antonia Marie De Meo, Norwegian Ambassador to Jordan Mona Juul, and Director of UNRWA Affairs in Jordan Olaf Becker. The delegation toured the camp and reviewed the services provided by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in coordination with the Jordanian government. Khirfan expressed gratitude for Norway's sustained support of UNRWA, both financially and through its consistent political backing of Palestinian refugee rights. He emphasized the importance of continued international support to ensure UNRWA can maintain its essential services amid ongoing regional challenges. Petra
Jordan Times
05-03-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
DPA director, UNRWA official discuss refugee service strain amid financial shortfall
AMMAN — Director-General of the Department of Palestinian Affairs (DPA) Rafiq Khirfan and UNRWA Director of Operations Olaf Becker met to address the agency's operational challenges in Jordan, which have been compounded by escalating financial difficulties. The discussions centred on UNRWA's ongoing financial crisis, triggered by a decline in funding from several donor countries, and its detrimental effects on the agency's ability to deliver essential services to Palestinian refugees, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. The two parties also discussed the logistics of upcoming field visits to refugee camps, stressing the need for prior coordination to ensure effective oversight and continued support for the refugee population.
