UNESCO's Anti-Israel Resolution

UNESCO adopted a resolution submitted by Turkey, in which it opposed Israel's decision to terminate the activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in the Near East.

The Executive Council of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), convened at the invitation of 12 countries, including Turkey, held a special session on the theme "Support for the continuation of educational activities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the occupied Palestinian territories."

At the eighth session, a draft resolution prepared by Palestine and Jordan, co-sponsored by Turkey, was adopted by consensus.

The United States, Argentina, the Czech Republic and Paraguay voted against the resolution "Supporting the continuation of UNRWA educational activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory", while Albania and Burkina Faso abstained. 50 of the 58 countries that make up the Executive Committee said "yes" to the bill.

The draft resolution notes that "Israel is seriously concerned about recent legislative measures that threaten the continuity of UNRWA's activities in providing educational services to Palestinian children."

The resolution condemns any measures that threaten the right of Palestinian children to education and states that UNESCO is committed to supporting the educational activities of UNRWA.

The draft resolution also stressed that by implementing this decision, Israel would violate international law and international humanitarian law, as well as UN General Assembly resolutions on the inviolability and protection of international organizations.

"Turkey will continue to provide full support to UNRWA"

Turkey's Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Ambassador Gulnur Aybet, said in her speech at the session that the situation in Gaza, where Israel continues its attacks, continues to be "deeply disturbing."

Pointing out that Israel has undermined the cornerstones of international law, Aybet said: "The deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid (in Gaza) and the use of starvation as a method of war are serious violations of international law. The fact that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister (Benjamin Netanyahu) and Defense Minister (Yoav Gallan) underscores the gravity of the situation."

Stating that UNRWA continues to be a "lifeline" for Palestinian refugees in such an environment of violence, Aybet noted that the UN agency has assumed an "indispensable" role today more than ever before.

Recalling that 247 UNRWA staff members were killed in Gaza as a result of Israeli attacks, Aybet stressed that the decision of the Israeli Parliament to ban the activities of UNRWA dealt a "serious blow" to humanitarian efforts in the region.

On the other hand, Aybet stated that Turkey has contributed $15 million to UNRWA this year and will supply 120,000 tons of flour in 2025, adding that "Turkey will continue to stand by the Palestinian people and support UNRWA in all possible ways."

Turkey played an "important role" in the adoption of the bill

Commenting on the adoption of the bill, Aybet said that the fact that 50 countries voted in favor of the draft resolution is a "great success" in terms of negotiations held with the participation of Turkey.

"(The adoption of the resolution) shows that Israel and its supporters are becoming increasingly isolated on international platforms and that the world community has realized, albeit a little late, that the time has come to say stop to the Israeli genocide and violation of international law," Ambassador Aybet said.

Stating that UNESCO was the first to decide to oppose Israel's decision to obstruct the activities of UNRWA, Aybet stressed that Turkey had played an "important role" in the negotiations, being one of the members of the executive board and co-sponsor of the draft resolution requesting the organization of this special session.

On October 28, the Israeli Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the cessation of UNRWA activities in the occupied Palestinian territories.