A Salute to A True Friend of UNRWA and Palestine Refugees: Ambassador (ret.) Philip C. Wilcox, Jr.

Honoring Ambassador Wilcox as he retires from the UNRWA USA Board of Directors

From its earliest days, Ambassador (ret.) Philip C. Wilcox, Jr. has been a steady compass and voice of principle for UNRWA USA — guiding us with moral clarity, intellectual rigor, wisdom, and a lifelong devotion to human dignity.

As he retires from the UNRWA USA Board of Directors and transitions into the role of Board Member Emeritus, we pause to honor a legacy defined by principled leadership, deep humanity, a dedication to the humanitarian needs and rights of Palestine refugees and the Palestinian people at large, and a lifetime of service.

Ambassador Wilcox retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 1997 after a 31-year career marked by some of the State Department’s most challenging assignments. His early overseas postings took him to Vientiane, Jakarta, and Dhaka. His final overseas post — and one that shaped much of his later advocacy — was as Chief of Mission and U.S. Consul General in Jerusalem, where he gained a firsthand understanding of Palestinian life, resilience, and struggle.

His Washington assignments were equally distinguished, including senior positions involving the United Nations, Arab-Israeli affairs, and regional Middle Eastern and South Asian policy. After retiring from the State Department, he continued this work as President of the Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP), serving from 1997 to 2014, advancing principled engagement and informed analysis.

At UNRWA USA, Ambassador Wilcox has been more than a board member; he has been an anchor, a foundation, a friend, and a joyful presence woven into the heart of this organization. As Board Chairperson and later as Chair Emeritus, he brought the full measure of his diplomatic experience, steadiness, humility, curiosity, and genuine care to every conversation. He rolled up his sleeves, set the tone for ethical leadership, and urged all to center people over politics, to ask harder questions, and remember that every decision touches the lives of Palestine refugees seeking safety, opportunity, and dignity.

He was also one of our earliest champions of community-building. Long before we had the structure or the language for it, he encouraged us to cultivate a network of former UNRWA staff and alumni. A vision that helped pave the way for the creation of the UNRWA USA Refugee Advisory Council (UURAC), ensuring refugee voices and lived experience remain central to our work.

To the UNRWA USA staff, he has been a generous mentor and a constant source of warmth: thoughtful, curious, intellectually alive, and unfailingly kind. He made every person feel seen and valued. And we will always remember his twinkly smile, the presence he brought to every room, and the way he loved being among our community at the Gaza 5K.

Ambassador Wilcox’s voice has helped shape who we are and who we strive to be. His influence and values will continue to guide UNRWA USA long after his formal service concludes, reminding us always to act with humility, courage, and humanity.

With respect, admiration, and deep gratitude, we salute you, Ambassador Wilcox, for your many years of advocacy, leadership, mentorship, and friendship. We are honored to carry forward the values he has modeled so beautifully.