UN chief condemns Israel army base plan at UNRWA East Jerusalem site

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday strongly condemned Israel's decision to establish military facilities at a UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) compound in occupied East Jerusalem, calling the move "wholly unacceptable." His spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement that the Secretary-General views continued escalatory actions against UNRWA as a breach of the inviolability of United Nations premises.

Breach of international law

The compound in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood was seized by Israeli authorities in January and remains United Nations premises despite the occupation, Dujarric noted, stressing that UNRWA constitutes an integral part of the UN system. "The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli authorities' decision," the statement said, adding that he deeply regrets ongoing violations of obligations concerning UN privileges and immunities.

Call to end occupation

Dujarric stated that the International Court of Justice has affirmed such measures are unlawful and said Israel must end its presence in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, as rapidly as possible. Guterres urged Israeli authorities to immediately rescind their decision and return the Sheikh Jarrah compound to UN control, warning that actions undermining the agency's mandate jeopardize essential services for Palestinian refugees across the region.