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EU and 14 countries call on Israel to stop interfering with UNRWA
The EU and 14 countries condemned the seizure on Wednesday of a UNRWA-run facility in occupied East Jerusalem. The Kalandia Training Centre provides education, vocational development and health services to about 270 students in 16 vocational fields.
The European Union and 14 countries condemned the seizure of a facility belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in occupied East Jerusalem and reiterated their support for the agency tasked with providing assistance to Palestinian refugees.
In a joint statement issued by the Belgian Consulate General in Jerusalem, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, the EU, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom strongly condemned the Israeli forces’ “unlawful entry” on Tuesday into UNRWA’s Kalandia Training Centre and the seizure of UNRWA facilities in East Jerusalem.
Call to protect UN facilities
The signatories, which are members of the UNRWA Advisory Commission, stressed that UN facilities are protected under international law through the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and must therefore be respected.
The statement called on Israel to “immediately and fully comply” with UN directives allowing UNRWA to carry out its duties without interference. The signatories also urged Israel to promptly halt all disruptions to UNRWA’s activities and operations.
The centre’s activities
Israeli forces removed UNRWA staff from the centre on Tuesday, seized the facility and raised an Israeli flag in its courtyard. Israeli soldiers deployed in the streets of the Kalandia Refugee Camp and the nearby Kafr Aqab neighbourhood, carrying out raids and searches and interrogating Palestinians.
The Kalandia Training Centre includes educational, vocational development and health facilities, as well as training workshops, classrooms, dormitories and administrative buildings. Established in 1952 as UNRWA’s first centre in Palestine, the facility serves about 270 students in 16 vocational fields, with between 250 and 300 students graduating from the centre each year.
Pressure on UNRWA
Since 1967, Israel has kept the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, under occupation in violation of UN resolutions. The latest developments came as Israel increased pressure on UNRWA.
In 2024, Israel’s Knesset passed legislation restricting UNRWA’s activities and banning the agency from operating inside Israel. The controversial measure came into force at the beginning of last year.
Last October, the International Court of Justice reiterated Israel’s obligation to respect the inviolability of UN facilities, including those operated by UNRWA, and not to interfere with the agency’s activities.
A month later, the UN General Assembly extended UNRWA’s mandate for three years despite pressure from Israel. The decision allows the agency to continue its work until June 2029.
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