European Union diplomatic missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah, joined by 18 European governments, issued a strong condemnation of Israel’s invasion and occupation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) compound in East Jerusalem.
According to the joint statement, Israeli police and municipal officials stormed the UNRWA premises, seizing property, cutting communications, and removing the United Nations flag, which was replaced with Israel’s flag.
The diplomats described the incident as a “blatant violation” of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations (1946), which guarantees the inviolability of UN premises and immunity of UN property from seizure or interference.
Israeli forces raid seal UNRWA headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem as the UN agency condemns the move as a violation of its protected status. Mohammad Al-Kassim has more pic.twitter.com/Yzx66lhGaP
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) December 8, 2025
The statement was endorsed by EU missions and the governments of France, Germany, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Greece, Cyprus, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain, reflecting a broad European consensus against the action.
A Dangerous Precedent
European diplomats warned that such measures set a dangerous precedent for disregarding international law, including the Geneva Conventions of 1949, which provide legal protection for humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones.
|Al-Jazeera: Condemnation as Israel raids UNRWA HQ in East Jerusalem, removes UN flag|
They stressed that undermining UNRWA’s ability to function threatens not only Palestinian refugees who rely on its services but also the credibility of international humanitarian law worldwide.
UN and International Response
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the raid, calling it a serious breach of Israel’s obligations as a UN member state.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini emphasized that UN premises are exempt from taxation and immune from domestic legal processes, rejecting Israel’s claim that the invasion was linked to alleged unpaid municipal taxes.
The incident follows months of escalating pressure on UNRWA, including arson attacks, intimidation campaigns, and anti-UNRWA legislation passed by the Israeli parliament in 2024.
Humanitarian agencies warn that dismantling UNRWA’s operations would leave millions of Palestinian refugees without access to education, healthcare, and essential relief services.
Broader Implications
Analysts note that the seizure of UN property in East Jerusalem undermines the principle of UN inviolability, a cornerstone of international diplomacy since 1946.
By disregarding these protections, Israel is not only undermining the immunity of UNRWA’s offices in East Jerusalem but also eroding the broader international framework designed to safeguard humanitarian agencies in conflict zones — a precedent that could endanger UN operations worldwide.
The EU statement concluded with a call on Israel to honor its international commitments and restore respect for the immunity of UN facilities, warning that continued violations could further isolate Israel diplomatically and deepen tensions with the international community.
