Don't You Give Up
UNRWA Office. Shatila Palestinian Refugee Camp, Beirut, Lebanon, July 2018
During the Pilates class I teach, I often notice people reaching a point where they feel like quitting. I can see it in their form. Instead of giving importance to posture, they opt to twist their bodies to maintain the pose. They hold their breath. Faces are red. They feel as though they lack control over their own body. There are moments when they are glaring at me, wishing to stop. In different instances, they plop down on the mat, feeling discouraged.
I repeat to them, “Don’t you give up. Take an option. Breathe. Get back into it. But do not give it up. Right now, it is a mind over matter game. You can do this.”
A student approached me after class and expressed belief in my encouragement. It enables her to get through the class.
There's a special element to being united during challenging moments.
The past few weeks have been disheartening, I don’t know how you feel about it. You can see and feel how tired people are. Over 28,000 Palestinians have been killed, 11,000 are children. I remain in disbelief at the unfolding events right in front of us.
Without presenting any evidence, Israel claimed a few weeks ago that several UNRWA employees were involved in October 7th. UNRWA promptly fired the employees without an investigation to show how serious they found the allegations. Millions of funds were quickly withdrawn by nation states without evidence being requested during a genocide.[1]
UNRWA is the United Nations Works and Relief Agency. In response to the Palestinian refugee crisis, it started operating in 1949. Roughly half of the total population, around 750,000 Palestinians, were forcefully displaced. Due to the denial of Palestinians’ right to return, UNRWA’s temporary mandate is renewed every 4 years.
UNRWA, a humanitarian agency, supports over 6 million Palestinian refugees with education, healthcare, employment, and other aid. For more than four generations of refugees, it often serves as their sole legal employment opportunity. In addition to humanitarian assistance, they also offer legal protection for refugees. When one is without a state, they are denied the essential human rights that we, as citizens, freely possess. UNRWA upholds various rights outlined in international humanitarian law, including the right of refugee return.
Furthermore, UNRWA provides the official definition of a Palestinian refugee. Take into consideration that UNRWA was established before UNHCR, and they have separate mandates. UNRWA provides humanitarian aid, while UNHCR focuses on resettlement. Palestinian refugee status can be inherited by the offspring of Palestinian males, as per the definition. Since Palestinians have been refugees for multiple generations without a citizenship solution, they transfer refugee status to their descendants. This is based on international law and the principle of family unity which both UNRWA and the UNHCR adhere to.
Many detractors argue that UNRWA perpetuates the Palestinian refugee crisis. Many suggest that if UNRWA is no longer funded, Palestinian refugees would not exist and have not legal right to return. Israel then would have no duty to comply with international law on the right of return.
It seems quite convenient, doesn’t it?
No Palestinian refugees have been able to return to their homes since their displacement in 1948. No Palestinians have received compensation for their lost land, homes, and livelihood.
The consequence of removing funding from UNRWA extends beyond Palestinians experiencing famine and an ongoing Israeli attack. The impact extends to 6 million Palestinian refugees residing in 58 refugee camps spread across Lebanon, Jordan, The West Bank, Syria, and Gaza. While a genocide may not be occurring, Lebanon is grappling with an economic collapse and Syria continues to be plagued by conflict. Most of the time, they are unwelcome guests in very unstable situations.
These people are at the highest risk and most vulnerable in the world.
The primary organization responsible for their survival is losing funding.
Stay focused on Gaza, UNRWA, Palestinian refugees, the occupation, and the West Bank.
The action we can take may appear minor and inconsequential. It is not. I am witnessing individuals acting within their spheres of influence. When they hear ignorance about Palestinians, my friends are not afraid to speak up. Some for the first time are having uncomfortable conversations. I am watching artists come together in Denver for a benefit concert for Palestine. People who are completely new to this movement! If you happen to be in Denver, this is where you can find the information. It would be great if you could come and join us.
I see movement.
If you’re in the US, you have the power to contact your Congress representatives and insist on the resumption of funding to UNRWA. Keep listening to and amplifying the voices of Palestinians. Never stop learning. Continue to make donations. Join local marches. Stay in community!
Remember…
Don’t you give up! Take an option. Breathe. Get back into it. But do not give up. Right now, it is a mind over matter game. You can do this.
[1] https://unwatch.org/updated-list-of-countries-suspending-unwra-funding/
[2] https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-210170/
[3] https://www.unrwa.org/palestine-refugees