UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has temporarily closed its headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem.
This came after some Israelis set fire to areas at the edge of its compound.
Philippe Lazzarini, the Head of UNWRA, said that it was the second violent incident in less than a week.
He stated that the arson attempts marked “an outrageous development.”
“Once again, the lives of UN staff were at a serious risk. In light of this second appalling incident in less than a week, I have taken the decision to close down our compound until proper security is restored.”
Philippe Lazzarini
He noted that the attack came after two months of “Israeli extremists staging protests outside the UNRWA compound.”
It was said that one protest within the week “became violent when demonstrators threw stones at UN staff and at the buildings of the compound.”
The UNRWA Chief averred that over the past months, UN staff have regularly been subjected to harassment and intimidation.
“Our compound has been seriously vandalised and damaged. On several occasions, Israeli extremists threatened our staff with guns,” he added.
Jonathan Fowler, the UNRWA’s Senior Communications Manager, also stated that since the beginning of the war, UNRWA has frequently been viewed as part of the problem, rather than part of the solution.
“Our staff cannot move freely in the West Bank; they are unable to reach our headquarter in Jerusalem from the West Bank. Even 12- to 13-year-old children throw stones at our vehicles in the streets.”
Jonathan Fowler
He stated that while UNRWA officials were attempting to extinguish the flames, “people protesting against us were throwing large rocks at the building.”
“The police present did nothing to stop it. In fact, the words released to the press by the Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem continue to fuel the fire,” he added.
Aryeh King, the Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, who had joined the settlers in protests against the UNRWA headquarters said, told an Israeli news agency, “It is an honour to be responsible for the closure of the centre of the Nazi and antisemitic enemy within Jerusalem.”
King added, “Our next step is to shift the demonstrations to the French Hill neighbourhood, and ultimately to ensure the expulsion of UNRWA from the Qalandiya neighbourhood in the West Bank.”
Criticism Voiced At Targeting Of UNRWA
The European Union condemned the attack against the UNRWA compound in occupied East Jerusalem.
“Perpetrators must be held to account,” the bloc’s foreign policy Chief, Josep Borell, stated on X.
“It is Israel’s responsibility to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers,” he added, calling the UN agency for Palestinian refugees “an irreplaceable lifeline to millions in Gaza and the region.”
UN Chief, Antonio Guterres commented on the attacks by Israelis on the UNRWA headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem.
“Targeting aid workers and humanitarian headquarters is unacceptable and must stop,” he wrote on X.
Similarly, Norwegian Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide expressed shock at the attacks and said that those responsible must be investigated and held accountable.
“Israel as a host country has a duty to protect UN personnel and premises at any time,” he said.
Moreover, the foreign ministry of Germany issued a statement condemning the “escalation of violent protest” against the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in occupied East Jerusalem.
“Israel must ensure the protection of UN facilities and personnel in the occupied Palestinian territories,” it said on X.
It added, “The UN need to be able to serve their important mandate in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem.”
Also, Qatar’s foreign ministry condemned “in the strongest terms the attack by Israeli settlers on the UNRWA headquarters.”
The ministry criticised the “systematic Israeli targeting of UNRWA,” maintaining that the aim was “to liquidate it and deprive millions of Palestinians of its necessary services.”
READ ALSO: Cashew Farmers Struggle as Challenges Hinder Crop Growth
