Israel supports US decision

TEL AVIV: Israel yesterday welcomed a US decision to end funding for the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, accusing the organisation that supports some five million Palestinians of perpetuating the Middle East conflict.

“Israel supports the US move,” an official in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on condition of anonymity.

“Consolidating the refugee status of Palestinians is one of the problems that perpetuate the conflict.”

Palestinian Ambassador Hossam Zomlot accused the US of “reneging on its international commitment and responsibility” towards a body that was set up by a UN General Assembly resolution in 1949.

“By endorsing the most extreme Israeli narrative on all issues, including the rights of more than five million Palestinian refugees, the US administration has lost its status as peacemaker and is damaging not only an already volatile situation but the prospects for future peace.”

Israel expressed support for a new conduit for humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.

“It would be good to allocate the funds to other elements that would use the money properly for the benefit of the population, and not for perpetuating the notion that they are refugees,” the official in Netanyahu’s office said.