Israeli police accompanied by municipal officials forcibly entered the facility, UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini wrote on the social media platform X.
Police motorcycles, trucks and forklifts were brought in and all communications were cut off, he said, while furniture, computer equipment and other property were seized.
The UN flag was removed and replaced with an Israeli flag.
“Blatant disregard”
“This latest action represents a blatant disregard for Israel’s obligation as a member state of the United Nations to protect and respect the inviolability of UN premises,” Mr. Lazzarini said.
“Allowing this represents a new challenge for international law, one that sets a dangerous precedent wherever the UN is present in the world. »
UNRWA provides health, education and other services to approximately six million Palestinian refugees in five locations in the Middle East, including the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The agency was attacked following the latest hostilities in Gaza, which began after the deadly attack carried out on October 7, 2023 by Hamas against Israel.
Mr Lazzarini said the East Jerusalem compound had been vacant since the start of the year after the Israeli parliament passed “anti-UNRWA legislation”. Learn more about the laws here.
This was preceded by months of harassment, including arson attacks in 2024, as well as hate protests and intimidation, supported by a large-scale disinformation campaign.
UN premises are inviolable
“However, whatever measures are taken at the national level, the compound retains its status as a UN premises, safe from any form of interference,” the UNRWA chief said.
Israel is a party to the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN – the international treaty that “makes UN premises inviolable – in other words, immune from search and/or seizure – and immunizes UN property and assets from legal process,” he said.
He added that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) “has also emphasized that Israel is obliged to cooperate with UNRWA and other United Nations agencies.”
source link eu news
