The European Union condemns Israel's demolition of the UNRWA headquarters in Jerusalem
The European Union strongly condemned the recent Israeli actions targeting the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem. This firm stance was expressed by the EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, Haja Habib, who described the Israeli decision to forcibly enter and demolish the UN compound as a blatant violation of international obligations and a serious breach of the sanctity of UN facilities.
Violation of diplomatic and international immunities
In an official statement, the European official called on the Israeli authorities to immediately halt these actions, stressing that the storming and demolition of UN premises constitutes a clear violation of the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. This convention obliges all member states, including Israel, to protect and respect the inviolability of the premises of the international organization and not to attack them, which makes the Israeli move a dangerous precedent that threatens the rules-based international order.
Legal context and decisions of the International Court of Justice
The European Commissioner based her condemnation on international law, recalling the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, which clearly states Israel's obligation not to obstruct the work of UN bodies and the necessity of cooperating with them in good faith. This reminder comes at a time of mounting pressure on the UN agency, with the European Union emphasizing that respecting the Palestinian people's right to self-determination is inextricably linked to enabling international institutions to carry out their mandates without hindrance.
UNRWA: A lifeline and a history of humanitarian work
This issue is of particular importance given the historic and pivotal role UNRWA has played since its establishment in 1949. The agency provides not only in-kind assistance but also serves as a lifeline for millions of Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, offering education, healthcare, and social protection services. Its headquarters in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem, is a vital administrative center for coordinating these operations in the occupied territories.
Serious regional and international repercussions
The European Union warned that the continuation of these attacks would not go unpunished. Lahbib stressed that any disruption to the agency's work would have catastrophic humanitarian consequences, in addition to political, economic, and social repercussions that could destabilize the entire region. The statement affirmed that UNRWA is a fundamental part of the multilateral international system, and that weakening it threatens international peace and security and undermines the conditions necessary for achieving any future just and comprehensive peace.
The European Union concluded its statement by renewing its firm commitment to continue providing political and financial support to UNRWA, calling on the international community to assume its responsibilities in protecting the agency and ensuring the continuation of its vital services to Palestinian refugees until a just solution to their issue is found.
