According to Palestinian sources, Jerusalem municipality workers, accompanied by Israeli police security forces, arrived early Monday morning at the UNRWA headquarters located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem and forcibly entered the compound. The site, which has stood largely empty of staff for many months, was guarded only by a small number of security personnel. Israeli forces arrived with trucks and forklifts, cut off all communication systems, and loaded equipment onto the trucks, including furniture, computer hardware and additional property. Before leaving the compound, workers removed the UN flag from the roof of the building and raised the Israeli flag in its place.
What legal basis did Israel cite for acting against UNRWA in Jerusalem?
The operation in Jerusalem was carried out under Israel’s “Law to Terminate UNRWA Activities within the Sovereign Territory of the State of Israel, 2024,” passed by the Knesset following Hamas’ deadly October 7, 2023 attack, after it emerged that numerous UNRWA employees had participated in the assault.
Among other provisions, the law stipulates that UNRWA “shall not operate any representation, provide any service, or carry out any activity, directly or indirectly, within the sovereign territory of the State of Israel.” Following Israel’s demand, UNRWA halted staff activity at its Jerusalem headquarters, but did not remove the building’s contents, despite repeated requests.
How is the UNRWA Commissioner-General responding?
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has expressed outrage over the Israeli move. Writing on X, Lazzarini said the action represents “a blatant disregard of Israel’s obligation, as a UN member state, to protect and respect the sanctity of United Nations premises.”
He added that “after months of harassment including arson attacks in 2024, hate demonstrations and intimidation, fueled by a sustained disinformation campaign, as well as legislation passed by the Israeli Knesset in violation of Israel’s international commitments, UNRWA staff were forced to evacuate the compound earlier this year.”
Lazzarini further stressed that “regardless of any local measures taken, the compound retains its status as UN premises, immune from any form of interference.” He noted that Israel is a party to the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, which renders UN premises inviolable and UN property immune from search, seizure, or legal proceedings.
Is Israel heading toward an unavoidable confrontation with UNRWA following the Jerusalem operation?
