Israeli police raided an empty office of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem on Monday. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said this on X. Police seized furniture and equipment from UNRWA, tore down a UN flag and replaced it with an Israeli flag.
According to Lazzarini, Israeli police arrived with several trucks and a forklift to the office in East Jerusalem, which is located in the illegally occupied West Bank. The agents allegedly cut off the organization’s communications.
“This is yet another serious violation of Israel’s obligation as a UN member state to protect and respect the sanctity of UN premises,” Lazzarini said. Israel has previously banned UNRWA. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government claims that the organization’s employees have ties to Hamas.
Dismissed
UNRWA has dismissed a number of employees in connection with those allegations, but says Israel has not substantiated all its claims about UNRWA staff with evidence. It accuses Israel of intimidation and waging a disinformation campaign.
The United States is suspending aid to UNRWA over the allegations. Moreover, UNRWA has been banned from entering the Gaza Strip for some time. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled last October in a non-binding advice that UNRWA should regain access to the area.
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Crisis in the Middle East
Israeli police raid UNRWA office in Jerusalem
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