Deech questions Palestinian refugee status and calls for UN relief agency to be disbanded

Crossbench peer Baroness Ruth Deech has argued in the House of Lords that the UK government’s recent recognition of Palestine as a state should affect the status of Palestinian refugees.

The peer, who is Jewish, claimed that with statehood recognised, Palestinians should be considered citizens of Palestine rather than refugees – and that the concept of Palestinian refugees should be reconsidered.

Deech also criticised the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), alleging it perpetuates refugee status and is influenced by Hamas, and called for its dismantlement.

“Since the UK recognises Palestine as a state, its citizens living in their state cannot, in principle, be refugees,” she claimed, after tabling a question on Thursday.

“Indeed, all the other Palestinians around the world are, or should be, citizens of that state and no longer stateless.”

Deech also strongly criticised  the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), saying: “UNRWA continues to inflate the number of refugees instead of settling them, and teaches them that they will remain refugees until they return to what they believe were their homes in what is now Israel, with the aim of obliterating the state.”

She added, “There will be no future for Gaza unless UNRWA is dismantled… and the concept of Palestinian refugees in the West Bank and Gaza should disappear.”

In response, Lord Singh of Wimbledon, a Sikh crossbench peer asked: “My Lords, why are we being so beastly to refugees?

“This is a Christian country and the Bible reminds us to be kind to strangers, for you are strangers in the land of Egypt.

“Sikh teachings have similar sentiments.

“Palestinians have been continuously betrayed since the Balfour Declaration, in their efforts to protect their rights. Does the Minister agree that they deserve our sympathy and support?”

Replying for the government, Lord Lemos clarified: “The status of Palestinian refugees is a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

“Recognition of the State of Palestine does not in any way alter the status of Palestinian refugees. The UK continues to support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, and its vital work delivering humanitarian assistance and services to Palestinian refugees.”

He further stated: “As I have said, the UK’s recognition of the State of Palestine does not alter the status of Palestinian refugees, and the question of refugee status remains a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.

“We are deeply concerned to hear the accusations about UNRWA staff involved in 7 October 2023, and we welcome its commitment to fully investigate allegations against its employees and the continued implementation of the Colonna report’s recommendations to ensure neutrality and integrity.”