Israel: Buildings Demolished at UN Headquarters in Jerusalem

Israeli excavators demolished buildings at the headquarters of the UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) in East Jerusalem. UNRWA condemned what officials described to AFP as an "unprecedented attack."

Roland Friedrich, the agency's director in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, stated that this constitutes a serious violation of international law, as well as the privileges and immunity of the UN.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced that the complex has no immunity and its seizure was carried out based on Israeli and international law. Jonathan Fowler, a spokesperson for the agency, emphasized that Israel is obliged to protect the integrity of UN facilities.

The Israel Land Authority, backed by police, seized the UNRWA compound in Jerusalem’s Ma’alot Dafna neighborhood, citing a law banning the UN agency’s activity. The site is returning to state control and will be redeveloped for public use.