TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday strongly condemned the Israeli authorities for forcibly entering the United Nations compound in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem, managed by the UN Palestinian refugees agency (UNRWA), and seizing UNRWA's belongings. Israeli authorities also removed the UN flag and replaced it with the Israeli flag.
Guterres, in a release received by Tempo, affirmed that the complex remained under UN jurisdiction and was inviolable and free from any form of interference.
As recently reaffirmed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), any executive, administrative, judicial, or legislative actions against UN properties and assets are prohibited under the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
"I urge Israel to immediately take all necessary steps to restore, preserve and uphold the inviolability of UNRWA premises," Guterres said.
He also urged Israel to refrain from further actions regarding UNRWA premises, in accordance with Israel's obligations under the UN Charter and other obligations under international law, including those related to the privileges and immunities of the United Nations.
The Sheikh Jarrah complex, managed by UNRWA, ceased its operations early this year after Israel ordered the agency to vacate all its facilities within Israel's territory.
The attack occurred after months of tension between Israel and UNRWA, including arson attacks in 2024, anti-UNRWA protests, intimidation, and new Israeli laws targeting the agency.
Israel banned UNRWA from operating in its territory after alleging that some of its staff were involved in Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
UNRWA denied the allegations, and in October, ICJ ruled that Israel's allegations against UNRWA were unfounded.
However, Israel's claims led the United States, historically the largest donor to UNRWA, to suspend its funding.
UNRWA was forced to repatriate its international staff from Gaza and the West Bank, severely limiting aid distribution at a time when Palestinians faced extreme food and housing shortages amidst Israel's genocide in the Gaza Strip.
In October, the ICJ issued an advisory opinion reaffirming Israel's legal obligation to support UN aid efforts in Gaza, including those carried out by UNRWA, and to cooperate with UN agencies operating in the occupied territories.
Early Morning Raid "Illegitimate"
According to UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, as reported by Al Jazeera, Israeli police entered the compound early Monday with city government officials, accompanied by motorcycles, trucks, and a forklift.
Communications were cut off, and furniture, IT systems, and other belongings were seized. The UN flag was lowered and replaced with the Israeli flag.
“However, whatever action taken domestically, the compound retains its status as a UN premises, immune from any form of interference," he said, adding that Israel is a signatory to the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN.
An Israeli police spokesperson told ABC News that the operation was part of a debt collection procedure by the Jerusalem City Government and that the police were only present to "secure the municipality's activities."
Lazzarini rejected any justification, stating that Israel's domestic actions had "no legal effect" on the UN status of the complex.
He warned that the raid "sets a dangerous precedent" by disregarding Israel's responsibility as a UN member state.
UNRWA remains the lifeline of Palestine and has historically been associated with refugees' right to return since 1948. The raid on the UNRWA compound deepens concerns that UN humanitarian infrastructure and operations are increasingly vulnerable amidst Israel's wartime strategies and domestic political agendas.
UNRWA is the largest humanitarian organization operating in Gaza and the West Bank, providing education, health services, social services, and housing for millions of Palestinian refugees in the Middle East.
For Palestinians, the organization's existence is linked to their internationally recognized right to return to the homes from which they or their families were displaced during Israel's formation in 1948.
The attack occurred amidst Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza. According to health officials in Gaza, the total number of casualties from Israeli attacks has reached at least 70,365, with 171,058 others injured.
Read: UNGA Renews UNRWA Mandate for 3 Years; 151 Countries Vote in Favor
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