The United Nations condemns Israel’s decision to establish military facilities in the UNRWA compound in Jerusalem

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, condemned in the strongest terms the decision of the Israeli authorities to establish military facilities in the compound of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem, which they had seized last January.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations confirmed, in a statement attributed to his spokesman Stephane Dujarric, that UNRWA is an integral part of the United Nations, and that its Sheikh Jarrah complex remains the property of the organization, indicating that these escalatory and unprecedented measures against the agency represent a violation of the sanctity of the United Nations headquarters.

He explained that these steps constitute an obstacle to implementing the clear mandate granted by the United Nations General Assembly to UNRWA to continue its operations in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.

He added that the continuation of escalatory measures against UNRWA is completely unacceptable, expressing his deep regret that the Israeli authorities continue to take steps that violate their obligations related to the privileges and immunities of the United Nations.

The statement indicated that such measures are illegal, as confirmed by the International Court of Justice, and that Israel does not have the right to exercise sovereign powers in any part of the occupied Palestinian territories, and is obligated to end its illegal presence in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, as soon as possible.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations called on the government of Israel to reverse its decision and immediately return the UNRWA compound in Sheikh Jarrah to the United Nations.