Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the complex has no immunity
Israel today demolished buildings inside the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) headquarters complex in East Jerusalem, a France Presse photographer testified.
The buildings were demolished by excavators moved to the site.
Following Israel’s law banning UNRWA activity, the Israel Land Authority—backed by police—has seized the UNRWA compound in Jerusalem’s Ma’alot Dafna neighborhood.
The site is returning to state control and will be redeveloped for public use.— Amit Segal (@AmitSegal)
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the complex has no immunity, and that the demolition was carried out in accordance with “Israeli and international laws.”
A United Nations agency official accused Israel of having committed “a serious violation of international law” as well as UN privileges and immunities.
UN considers demolition illegal and serious
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) today denounced an “unprecedented attack” after Israel demolished buildings at the organization’s headquarters in East Jerusalem.
UNRWA director for the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Roland Frierich, told Agence France Presse that the “unprecedented attack” constituted a serious violation of international law, as well as the privileges and immunities of the United Nations.
Likewise, the agency’s spokesperson, Jonathan Fowler, stated that, like all United Nations Member States, Israel has an obligation to protect and respect the inviolability of the organization’s facilities.
Israeli authorities accused those responsible for the agency of participating in the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered the war in the Gaza Strip.
