Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates: Confiscation of UNRWA Headquarters in Jerusalem is a Flagrant Violation of UN Resolutions and an Attempt to Liquidate the Question of Palestine Refugees

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates strongly condemns the Israeli occupation's confiscation of the land of the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem. Israel’s illegal decision to convert this site into a colonial settlement comprising 1,440 housing units constitutes a blatant violation of international law, an attack on the immunity and dignity of UN institutions, and a breach of the United Nations Charter and Israel’s obligations as a UN member state.

These actions, along with the systematic incitement campaign against UNRWA, are part of a calculated effort and an attempt by Israel, the occupying power, to liquidate the question of Palestine refugees and undermine their inherent right to return.

The Ministry reaffirms its steadfast commitment to pursuing all political, diplomatic, and legal avenues to protect UNRWA and ensure that its mandate is carried out to its fullest extent, as mandated by key General Assembly resolutions, including Resolutions 194 (III) and 302 (IV).

We call upon the international community to take immediate action to safeguard UNRWA’s mission and mandate, recognizing its essential and irreplaceable role in supporting Palestinian refugees. It is crucial to ensure the agency’s continuity, secure necessary funding, and uphold the inalienable rights of Palestinian refugees as enshrined in international law and United Nations resolutions, particularly Resolution 194.

The Ministry also highlights the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, which reaffirms that sovereignty over the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem, belongs solely to the Palestinian people and their leadership. Israel has no legitimate claim to sovereignty over these areas, which fall under UNRWA’s operational mandate.

We urge the international community to take decisive action to reject these violations, hold Israel accountable for its ongoing crimes, and ensure that its leadership faces justice for the continued breaches of international law and the war crimes committed against the Palestinian people.