UN Secretary-General Slams Israel for Seizing UNRWA Jerusalem Base

(MENAFN) United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres delivered a sweeping condemnation Wednesday of Israel's move to convert a seized UNRWA compound in occupied East Jerusalem into a military installation, branding the decision flatly unacceptable.

"The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli authorities' decision to establish military facilities at the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound in East Jerusalem that they had seized in January," UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in a formal statement.

The statement firmly underscored that UNRWA is "an integral part of the United Nations" and that the Sheikh Jarrah compound "remains United Nations premises" — making Israel's actions "a breach of the inviolability of United Nations premises" that directly undermines the agency's mandate across occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.

"The Secretary-General views as wholly unacceptable the continued escalatory actions against UNRWA," the statement read, adding that Guterres "deeply regrets that the Israeli authorities continue to take steps that are in violation of their obligations concerning the privileges and immunities of the United Nations."

Invoking a prior ruling by the International Court of Justice, the statement classified such conduct as "unlawful" and called on Israel to withdraw from occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, "as rapidly as possible."

Dujarric further indicated that Guterres is demanding Israel reverse its decision without delay and restore full UN control over the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound immediately.

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