On the eve of a “donors conference” in London to address the desperate situation of the Syrian refugees, a UN agency has made a desperate appeal to Canada and other countries not to overlook the over 500,000 Palestinians trapped in Syria. First expelled from Israel in 1948, they are being made refugees again. Read more
The UN Agency responsible for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has made a special appeal to Canada and other countries coming to a “donors conference” in London. It warns that that the 560,000 Palestine refugees in Syria in one of the most pitiless conflicts of our age, risk being overlooked.
Canada will be represented at the conference by International Development Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau following visits to Lebanon and Jordan this week to assess existing efforts. Several other countries have called on Canada to double its contribution to refugee relief.
In a press release this week, UNRWA today appealed to donors for US$ 414 million to meet the critical humanitarian needs of Palestine refugees affected by the conflict in Syria, which is now entering its sixth year. “In the midst of the broader Syrian tragedy, and with just two days to go before the London donors’ conference, it is critical that the plight of the Palestine refugee community is not underestimated or forgotten,” urged UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl.
Canada Talks Israel/Palestine 
Peter: a small or not-so-small point. Weren’t they expelled from Palestine *by* Israel?
Don, you are right. They were Palestinians living in Palestine, expelled by Zionist forces. But most of the people who ended up in Syria were ethnically cleansed from the Galilee after May 15th 1948, which was the date that Israel declared its independance. So it is also possible to say they were expelled “from” Israel. However it is described, it was ethnic cleansing of a population and Canada looked the other way… Best.
Thanks, Peter – much needed interview!
Reblogged this on PAJU – Palestiniens et Juifs Unis and commented:
In a press release this week, UNRWA today appealed to donors for US$ 414 million to meet the critical humanitarian needs of Palestine refugees affected by the conflict in Syria, which is now entering its sixth year. “In the midst of the broader Syrian tragedy, and with just two days to go before the London donors’ conference, it is critical that the plight of the Palestine refugee community is not underestimated or forgotten,” urged UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl.