Statement to the Press on UNRWA presence in occupied East Jerusalem

26 November 2024

“Reports circulating in some media that UNRWA is evacuating its premises in occupied East Jerusalem are grossly inaccurate.

“UNRWA maintains its operations in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem and in the Gaza Strip for the benefit of Palestine Refugees. The Agency will continue to undertake its operations and programmes despite increased attempts to actively prevent it from implementing its mandate.

“Several months ago, UNRWA initiated a review on its presence and outreach from East Jerusalem and around the world.  This review determined that it was in the Agency’s best interest to put steps in place to optimize the effectiveness of several positions. This review does not include the operations in the UNRWA West Bank Field Office, nor does it impact the staff or the services that UNRWA provides to Palestine Refugees there including primary health care and education. They continue without interruption.

“Given the decision to relocate international staff, local staff impacted will be supported by UNRWA to be re-absorbed in other capacities in the coming one year (by November 2025). Should circumstances allow the Agency to continue its work in East Jerusalem and across the West Bank, the one-year period may be extended.  The Agency notified all staff members impacted accordingly”.

NOTES TO EDITORS 

• Since the war began in October 2023, restrictions on the work of the UN and the humanitarian community have included impediments on access such as short-term or no visas from the Israeli Authorities to international personnel working in the occupied Palestinian territory.
• The Israeli parliament (Knesset) adopted two bills against UNRWA on 28 October 2024 with a 90-days’ timeline for implementation.
• The official global headquarters of UNRWA moved in the mid-1990s from Vienna in Austria to Gaza City.
• In 2004, the Agency was forced to relocate international staff temporarily from Gaza to its offices in East Jerusalem and Amman due to heavy bombardment from Israeli Forces in Gaza City.
• Since then, UNRWA’s temporary headquarters in East Jerusalem had international and local staff, in addition to staff from the UNRWA West Bank Field Office.
• The headquarters presence in East Jerusalem was never permanent nor was it ever made official.