Saudi Arabia Denounces Israel’s Demolition of UNRWA Headquarters in Jerusalem
Saudi Arabia slammed Israel’s demolition of buildings belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem o Tuesday. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its “strongest condemnation” of the actions taken by Israeli occupation forces. The Kingdom reaffirmed its support for UNRWA in its humanitarian mission to assist the Palestinian people.
Israeli crews began bulldozing the UNRWA headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, escalating tensions between Israel and the UN agency. Philippe Lazzarini, head of UNRWA, described the demolition as an “unprecedented attack” against the UN, which is protected under international law.
He stated, “This must be a wake-up call,” emphasizing the implications for other organizations and diplomatic missions worldwide.
The demolition follows recent Israeli legislation that restricts UNRWA’s operations in areas defined as Israeli territory, including East Jerusalem. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir hailed the demolition as a “historic day,” while Israeli forces evicted remaining staff and confiscated their devices from the site.
International Outcry and Concerns
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed his “outrage” at the incident, marking a significant escalation in tensions between Israeli authorities and UNRWA. Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the High Commissioner, noted, “It compounds what we’ve been seeing for a while; attacking aid groups and UN actors who are trying to help.”
Critics argue that targeting UNRWA facilities undermines humanitarian efforts at a time when millions of Palestinians rely on aid for basic needs. UN agencies and diplomatic missions have reiterated the importance of upholding protections for UN property and personnel, enshrined in international law for decades.
The Israeli government has long accused UNRWA of bias and alleged links to militant groups, including Hamas, claims the agency has strongly denied. UNRWA, established in 1949, continues to provide essential services to approximately 2.5 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, as well as millions more in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon.
The demolition of the UNRWA compound sets a troubling precedent for humanitarian work in conflict zones. As tensions rise, Saudi Arabia’s condemnation highlights its commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause and protecting international humanitarian norms.
