Quds Governorate: Demolition of UNRWA Offices in Sheikh Jarrah a Dangerous Escalation
The Quds Governorate condemned the demolition by Israeli bulldozers, accompanied by the so-called “Israel Land Authority,” of mobile offices within the UNRWA compound in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied East Quds, deeming it a dangerous escalation.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the Governorate said, “These demolitions constitute a direct attack on a UN agency that enjoys international legal immunity, especially given the Israeli authorities’ removal of the UN flag and the raising of the Israeli flag within the compound, under the pretext of lack of permits, in flagrant violation of the sanctity of international institutions,” according to the Palestinian news agency Safa.
The statement clarified that the UNRWA compound in Quds remains under the auspices of the United Nations and enjoys immunity from any form of interference, executive, administrative, judicial, or legislative action, in accordance with the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, a fact affirmed by the International Court of Justice.
The Governorate emphasized that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory, including Quds, nor over the UN agencies operating there. She explained that this attack came within the context of a systematic and ongoing escalation against UNRWA, following notification of the utility companies’ (electricity and water) intention to cut off electricity and water supplies to several of its facilities in Quds. This was compounded by the Israeli forces’ raid on its health center on the 12th of this month and the issuance of a temporary closure order, despite the fact that it serves refugees and is their primary source of primary healthcare.
It emphasized that this escalation was preceded by months of harassment and violations against UNRWA, including arson attacks during 2024, incitement and intimidation tactics, and a widespread media disinformation campaign.
It also pointed to anti-UNRWA legislation passed by Israel in clear violation of its international obligations, which forced agency staff to evacuate the compound at the beginning of last year, in addition to the confiscation of furniture, IT equipment, and other property. The Quds Governorate stressed that these measures constituted a direct attack on a UN humanitarian agency whose vital and irreplaceable role is universally recognized, and which serves approximately 192,000 Palestinian refugees in the governorate.
It considered these measures an impediment to the implementation of the mandate granted to the UN agency by the UN General Assembly, and held the occupying power fully responsible for their repercussions, as part of its ongoing efforts to eliminate the refugee issue and their inherent right of return in accordance with international law.