UNRWA condemns the forced entry of a group of Israelis, including a member of parliament, into the Agency’s compound in East Jerusalem

26 May 2025

From Roland Friedrich , the Director of UNRWA Affairs for the West Bank, including East Jerusalem as posted on his official X account (previously known as Twitter)

At approximately midday today, a group of Israelis led by a Member of Knesset and accompanied by Israeli media entered without authorisation into UNRWA’s compound in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem.

The group asserted they were “liberating” the “former UNRWA headquarters” on the occasion of Jerusalem Day, which for Israelis marks the reunification of the city. However, under international law, East Jerusalem is occupied territory and its annexation by the State of Israel is not recognised.

The group brought flags and erected banners, seeking to claim the compound for the establishment of a new Israeli neighbourhood. Israeli police, alerted to the scene, failed to protect the inviolability of the UN premises.

Following months of aggravated harassment directed towards the site and the entry into force of two anti-UNRWA Knesset laws in January 2025, UNRWA was forced to vacate the compound and withdraw under protest all its international staff.

This unauthorised entry represents another violation of Israel’s obligations as a UN member state to protect UN premises and facilitate humanitarian work. UNRWA condemns today’s illegal provocation.