The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees(UNRWA) has confirmed that is ordered by State of Israel to vacate its premises and cease operations in occupied East Jerusalem by 30 January 2025.
Israel has sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on 24 January 2025 through its representative to the United Nations,Danny Danon.
According to UNRWA,this order is in contradiction to international law obligations of UN member states including the State of Israel,which is bound by the General Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
The State of Israel decision to ban UNRWA from operating in the occupied-territory of Palestine is in violation of the United Nations Charter.
"United Nations premises are inviolable and enjoy privileges and immunities under the United Nations Charter.
"The State of Israel is a signatory -without reservations - to the General Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and enacted its provisions in its domestic law.These provisions oblige the State of Israel to respect United Nations privileges and immunities,including respect for United Nations premises.
UNRWA property and assets including in East Jerusalem are immune from search,requisition,confiscation,expropriation,and any other form of interference,"added UNRWA statement.
UNRWA has dismissed Israel's claims that it has no right to be in East Jerusalem and revealed that Israel is obsessed with expanding its illegal settlements to the Palestinian territory.
"Claims from the Israeli authorities that UNRWA has no right to occupy the premises are without foundation.They promote anti-UNRWA rhetoric,placing the Agency's facilities and personnel at risk.The Government of Israel has stated publicly that the aim to vacate UNRWA premises in Sheikh Jarrah is to expand Israeli illegal settlements in occupied East Jerusalem,"UNRWA statement continued.
UNRWA statement concluded that the State of Israel must take all appropriate measures consistent with international law obligations to ensure that UNRWA's property and installations are respected and protected.
UNRWA has been operating in the occupied territories of Palestine especially in East Jerusalem since the 1950s,and it provides around 70,000 patients with primary health care and 1,150 students with education in UNRWA schools and clinics.
Over the years,there have been repeated attempts to force UNRWA to vacate the premises in Sheikh Jarrah including through arson attacks,protests by extremists and eviction letters,and UNRWA staff have been subjected to violence and arrests.
UNRWA has repeatedly protested against these attempts to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Israel over the years.