George Deek

@georgedeek · Twitter · 2024-10-28 13:47 UTC

As someone who has family members that are UNRWA refugees, I understand why some see UNRWA as a beacon of hope for Palestinians in humanitarian need. This hope feels so essential that many are willing to overlook the troubling fact that UNRWA employees have been involved in acts of terror, including on October 7th. But hope built on grievance is not truly hope—it’s a burden that binds people to a cycle of anger and frustration. If UNRWA’s mandate were lifted, Palestinians could begin to look beyond the confines of refugee camps and start building real futures. They could integrate into new communities, establish businesses, pursue education, and create homes just as millions of displaced people have done worldwide. We see what is possible in places where Palestinians are given rights and opportunities—in the United States, South America, and even Israel. Where they are treated with dignity and given the tools to thrive, Palestinians achieve and contribute meaningfully. Ending UNRWA is not a dismissal of history; it’s an invitation to a future. Without the weight of perpetual victimhood, Palestinians would be free to shape lives filled with opportunity and ambition. By closing UNRWA, we can replace a cycle of dependency with the chance for Palestinians to build a future of lasting hope and resilience.