Israeli forces demolish structures inside UNRWA headquarters in Jerusalem

Israeli forces conducted a controversial operation on Tuesday, entering the closed headquarters of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in occupied East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and demolishing structures within the compound. The raid, which involved bulldozers and was personally overseen by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, included the symbolic replacement of the UN flag with an Israeli one.

A Highly Symbolic and Provocative Action

Witnesses on the scene described the entry of Israeli crews and at least one bulldozer into the UNRWA compound. The forces proceeded to demolish both mobile and permanent structures on the site. The act of raising the Israeli flag over the UN facility was viewed as a particularly charged political gesture, asserting Israeli sovereignty in a part of the city claimed by Palestinians as the capital of a future state. The headquarters had been closed for operations prior to the incident.

Accompanying Rhetoric from Israeli Officials

The action was accompanied by inflammatory rhetoric from some Israeli officials. Aryeh King, the Israeli Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, posted on social media platform X, referring to UNRWA as "Nazi" and declaring that its removal from Jerusalem was now underway following protests and pressure. This language aligns with a longstanding campaign by Israeli right-wing factions to dismantle UNRWA, which they accuse of perpetuating the Palestinian refugee issue. The agency provides essential education, health, and relief services to millions of registered Palestinian refugees across the region.

Context of Sheikh Jarrah and Broader Implications

The location of the raid, Sheikh Jarrah, is a flashpoint neighborhood where Palestinian families face ongoing eviction cases in Israeli courts, a situation that helped ignite an 11-day war in 2021. This direct action against a UN compound significantly escalates tensions and represents a challenge to international law and diplomatic norms, which regard UN premises as inviolable. The move is expected to draw sharp condemnation from the United Nations, numerous member states, and major donors.

Türkiye's Firm Stance and Call for International Response

For Türkiye, a leading advocate for the Palestinian cause and a critic of Israeli policies in Jerusalem, this event represents a severe violation of international law and an affront to the global community. Ankara has consistently defended the legal status of East Jerusalem as occupied territory and the vital role of UNRWA in providing humanitarian stability. Türkiye is likely to condemn the action in the strongest terms, calling for an urgent session of international bodies like the UN Security Council to address what it views as an attack on the multilateral system and a deliberate provocation threatening any prospect for a just and lasting peace.