BEIRUT (Dispatches) – The Palestinian People’s Committees in Lebanon’s southern city of Sidon on Monday demonstrated in front of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) against a new cooperation deal signed between the United States and UNRWA, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.
Protesters called for revoking the 2021-2022 U.S.-UNRWA Framework for Cooperation agreement, saying it “targets the political goals of the Palestinian cause.”
The committee’s general secretary Abed Abou Salah said the agreement will allow the United States to profit from the UNRWA in a way that would serve the Zionist regime.
According to the framework, which was signed in July, the United States will pay UNRWA 135 million U.S. dollars in additional funds if several conditions are met.
“No contributions by the U.S. shall be made to UNRWA, except on the condition that UNRWA takes all possible measures to assure that no part of the U.S. contribution shall be used to furnish assistance to any refugee who is receiving military training as a member of the so-called Palestinian Liberation Army or any other organization,” the agreement says.
The framework also includes “monitoring Palestinian school curriculum content.”
The deal sparked a wave of anger and drew criticism from Palestinians who perceive it as a “threat” to Palestinian refugee rights and a “serious change” in UNRWA’s vision.
Senior Islamic Jihad member Ahmed al-Mudallal told Al Jazeera, “This agreement is totally rejected by all Palestinian bodies as it does not go in line with the UN agency common work towards Palestinian refugees.”
“By this agreement, UNRWA will act as a security agent for the U.S. state through chasing employees and refugees who benefit from its services,” he said.