Press Statement

Issued by the Islamic Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas

Regarding latest statements of Swiss Foreign Minister.

We in Hamas received the words of Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis with shock, who said, "the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) poses a problem by holding an unrealistic dream about the return of all refugees. The question is: is UNRWA part of the solution or the problem? It has long worked as a solution but now it is part of the problem, it is securing the ammunition needed for the continuation of the conflict. As long as Palestinians live in refugee camps, they will remain wanting to return for their homeland."  

Hamas strongly denounces these disgraceful remarks and demands the state of Switzerland to issue an apology to the people of Palestine. We reiterate our support for the UNRWA and the need to enable it to continue its work mandated by the international community for the relief and employment of Palestinian refugees, However, we affirm to all that the adherence of our people to their rights, foremost of which is the return to their land, is not linked to the existence of the camps or the continuation of the Agency's work. Rather, it is a right to uphold wherever it may be, and it is an individual and collective right.

The Islamic Resistance Movement  Hamas

Friday, 18 May 2018