UNRWA chief condemns Israeli seizure of East Jerusalem facility
Summary
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, condemned Israel’s seizure of its training centre in East Jerusalem. The raid forced UN workers out and stopped education for hundreds of Palestinian youths. Israel said the site will be used for a new community project and cited laws restricting UNRWA’s activities.Key Facts
- Israeli forces took over the UNRWA Qalandiya Training Centre in East Jerusalem on Tuesday.
- UNRWA staff were expelled and told not to return to the facility.
- Five Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire near the location.
- Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir supported the raid, saying UNRWA should not have a presence in Jerusalem.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the seizure was legal, based on new laws from October 2024.
- The centre served about 340 young Palestinians, mostly from poor families, providing education and skills training.
- UNRWA said the site is protected by international law and its role is to help Palestinian refugees until a political solution is found.
- The UN agency’s leader said that cutting UNRWA’s funding and presence aims to remove support for Palestinian refugee rights like return and compensation.
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