Malaysia strongly condemns Israel’s incursion and demolition of UNRWA’s headquarters in East Jerusalem, calling for accountability under international law.
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has condemned in the strongest terms Israel’s incursion into the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The attack, which included the demolition of its premises in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem, occurred on Jan 20.
The Foreign Ministry stated that Israel has a legal obligation under international law to facilitate humanitarian relief efforts by UN entities without obstruction. It stressed that all humanitarian and medical personnel must be protected.
The ministry also emphasised that the privileges, immunities, and inviolability of the UN, its premises, property, and officials must be upheld. This position was reaffirmed by the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion dated Oct 22, 2025.
Malaysia called on the international community to hold Israel accountable for continuing serious violations of international law. These violations include breaches of the UN Charter, the 1946 UN Convention on the Privileges and Immunities, and relevant UN resolutions.
“This impunity must end,” the ministry’s statement added. UNRWA reported that Israel’s bulldozers entered its compound and demolished its buildings under the watch of lawmakers and a government member. The agency described it as an “unprecedented attack against a UN agency and its premises”.
