[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA:

When Arab mob visibly armed with knives [and who knows what they also
carrying] throwing rocks [and more] rush the Gaza border literally a short
dash away from Israeli civilian communities, UNRWA thinks Israel should hand
out cookies rather than defend the border.

Notice that this narrative doesn't even entertain the POSSIBILITY that some
of the Arabs killed were engaged in violent activities?

Notice they use the term "demonstrations" to describe events that include
rock throwing, firebomb throwing, and more?

Notice that the narrative makes it sound as if the IDF is arbitrarily
randomly going into Arab areas?

Notice no actual mention of concern for the loss of Israeli lives?]
================
PRESS STATEMENT
Statement by UNRWA Spokesperson Chris Gunness

UNRWA calls for political action and accountability to stem the current
spiral of violence and fear;
highlights lack of hope amongst Palestinian youth

12 October 2015

UNRWA is deeply alarmed by the escalating violence and widespread loss of
civilian life in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East
Jerusalem, and in Israel. Only robust political action can prevent the
further escalation of a situation that is affecting Palestinian and Israeli
civilians.

In Gaza a total of 11 Palestinians, among them refugees, have reportedly
been killed and at least 186 injured. Nine people, including three children
were reportedly killed during demonstrations in Gaza and two people – a
pregnant woman and a child – were killed when a house collapsed due to the
impact of a nearby Israeli strike. Four people were reportedly injured in
the latter incident. In the West Bank, between 1 October and 9 October,
UNRWA has recorded 45 incursions by Israeli forces into refugee camps
resulting in several refugees being shot dead, including one child.
According to preliminary figures, 180 people have reportedly been injured in
West Bank refugee camps, including some 20 children. About 50 of them were
reportedly injured by live-fire.

We condemn killings and injuries of Palestine refugees such as the tragic
case on 5 October, of Abd El Rahman, a 13-year-old ninth grade student at an
UNRWA school who was shot dead by Israeli Forces in Bethlehem’s Aida refugee
camp. The initial UNRWA investigation indicates that the child was with a
group of friends, next to the UNRWA office after the school day was over and
was not posing any threat.

Further to the recent statement of the High Commissioner for Human Rights,
the high number of casualties, in particular those resulting from the use of
live ammunition by Israeli forces raise serious concerns about the excessive
use of force that may be contrary to international law enforcement
standards. Under international law there are strict limits to the use of
lethal force whether in the context of law enforcement operations or during
conflict. These limitations are especially pertinent where a military
occupying power operates in civilian areas.

According to the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law
Enforcement Officials: “Law enforcement officials shall not use firearms
against persons except in self-defense or defense of others against the
imminent threat of death or serious injury, to prevent the perpetration of a
particularly serious crime involving grave threat to life, to arrest a
person presenting such a danger and resisting their authority, or to prevent
his or her escape; and only when less extreme means are insufficient to
achieve these objectives. In any event, intentional lethal use of firearms
may only be made when strictly unavoidable in order to protect life.”

Where alleged violations of international law occur, there must be a prompt,
impartial, effective and thorough investigation of the events and full
accountability in accordance with international standards.

UNRWA reiterates the call of the United Nations Secretary-General on all
sides to respect and protect the rights of children, in particular their
inherent right to life. We call for maximum restraint to ensure the
protection of civilians, in accordance with international law.


The root causes of the conflict, among them the Israeli occupation, must be
addressed. Across the occupied Palestinian territory there is a pervasive
sense of hopelessness and despair resulting from the denial of rights and
dignity. In the West Bank communities living under occupation feel
profoundly marginalized. While in Gaza the latest demonstrations are
evidence of a generation that has lost hope in the future; not least because
of the lack of economic prospects -- youth unemployment is one of the
highest in the world – but also because of the lack of reconstruction more
than a year after the conflict. An entire generation of Palestinians is at
risk. All political actors must act decisively to restore their hope in a
dignified, secure and stable future.

– Ends –

Background information



UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions, and financial
support has not kept pace with an increased demand for services caused by
growing numbers of registered refugees and deepening poverty and conflict.
As a result, the UNRWA General Fund, which supports core essential services
and most staffing costs, operates with a large deficit. UNRWA emergency
programmes and key projects, also operating with large deficits, are funded
through separate funding portals.



UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949
and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5 million
registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in
Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip achieve their full
human development potential, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA
services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp
infrastructure and improvement, and microfinance.



For more information, please contact:

Christopher Gunness
UNRWA Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 240 2659
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0267
c.gunness@unrwa.org
Twitter: @ChrisGunness

Sami Mshasha
UNRWA Arabic Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 216 8295
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0724
s.mshasha@unrwa.org