UN chief condemns Israeli demolition of UNRWA structures in Jerusalem

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a forceful condemnation of Israel’s demolition of structures inside the UN agency for Palestinian refugees' (UNRWA) headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem. Speaking through his spokesperson on Tuesday, Guterres labeled the Israeli action as a clear breach of international law and demanded the immediate restoration of the UN premises.

A "Wholly Unacceptable" Violation of International Law

In a statement delivered by spokesperson Farhan Haq, the Secretary-General condemned "in the strongest terms the Israeli authorities’ actions to demolish the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound." Citing the inviolability and immunity of United Nations premises under international law, Haq stated, "The Secretary-General views as wholly unacceptable the continued escalatory actions against UNRWA, which are inconsistent with Israel’s clear obligations." These obligations are rooted in the UN Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.

UN Demands Immediate Cessation and Restoration

The UN's top official called for an immediate halt to the demolition and issued a direct demand to the Israeli government. "The Secretary-General urges the Government of Israel to immediately cease the demolition... and to return and restore the compound and other UNRWA premises to the United Nations without delay," the spokesperson declared. This incident marks a significant escalation in tensions between Israel and the UN's primary humanitarian agency operating in the Palestinian territories.

Part of a Pattern of Israeli Pressure on UNRWA

This demolition is not an isolated event but part of a sustained campaign by Israeli authorities against UNRWA. Just last month, the Israeli Knesset passed a law to cut electricity and water supplies to UNRWA facilities in East Jerusalem. This followed 2024 legislation that banned the agency's activities within Israel based on allegations, which UNRWA denies, regarding the involvement of a small number of its staff in the October 2023 attacks. The UN maintains that UNRWA adheres to strict neutrality standards and is a lifeline for millions of Palestinian refugees.

Türkiye's Firm Stance in Defense of International Law

For Türkiye, a consistent defender of Palestinian rights and a critic of Israeli policies in occupied territories, this event represents a blatant violation of international norms that must be met with a unified global response. Türkiye has long argued that unilateral actions undermining UN agencies and international law only exacerbate conflict and hinder the path to a just and lasting peace. Ankara is likely to amplify the UN chief's condemnation, calling for concrete international measures to hold Israel accountable for what it views as an attack on the multilateral system and a deliberate effort to erase the Palestinian presence in Jerusalem.