Israeli police seized property from a UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem over alleged debts, an action the UN chief calls a violation of international law
JERUSALEM: The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has denounced the Israeli seizure of assets from its East Jerusalem compound.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said Israeli police and municipal officials forcibly entered the agency’s premises early on Monday.
Authorities used trucks and forklifts to remove furniture, IT equipment, and other property, he stated.
Lazzarini added that the compound’s United Nations flag was replaced with an Israeli one.
Israeli police told AFP the operation was a debt-collection procedure carried out by the Jerusalem municipality.
“Police are present to secure the municipality’s activity,” a police statement said.
Jerusalem police spokesman Dean Elsdunne said the debt was related to the Arnona, an Israeli residence tax covering municipal services.
UNRWA director for the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Roland Friedrich, disputed that claim.
“There is no debt because the United Nations is not required to pay any kind of taxes of that kind under international law,” Friedrich said.
A 1946 convention stipulates that the UN and its assets must not be taxed by host countries.
The compound in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem has been empty of UNRWA staff since January.
A law banning the agency’s operations in Israel took effect after a prolonged dispute over its work in Gaza.
Israel had accused UNRWA of providing cover for Hamas militants, alleging some staff participated in the 2023 attacks.
Investigations found some “neutrality-related issues” but noted Israel provided no conclusive evidence for its main allegation.
The UN said in August it would sack nine UNRWA staff over possible involvement in the attacks.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the “unauthorised entry” into the compound.
“This compound remains United Nations premises and is inviolable and immune from any other form of interference,” Guterres said.
He urged Israel to take steps to restore the inviolability of UNRWA premises and refrain from further action.
Jordan’s foreign ministry also denounced the move as a “blatant violation of international law”.
Spokesman Fuad al-Majali said Jordan rejects Israel’s “systematic campaign to restrict UNRWA”.
The UNRWA ban applies in East Jerusalem due to its annexation by Israel.
The agency continues to operate in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
“Whatever action taken domestically, the compound retains its status as a UN premises,” Lazzarini said. – AFP
