Screencap from a video showing 'Israeli' soldiers replacing the UNRWA flag
'Israel' replaces UN flag at UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
'Israeli' police removed the United Nations flag from the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) compound in East Jerusalem and raised the 'Israeli' flag in its place, the agency’s commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini, reported Monday.
“Today in the early morning, Israeli police accompanied by municipal officials forcibly entered the UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem,” Lazzarini said on social media platform X. He added that “police motorcycles, as well as trucks & forklifts, were brought in & all communications were cut. Furniture, IT equipment & other property was seized.”
Lazzarini confirmed that the UN flag “was pulled down & replaced with an Israeli flag.” The UNRWA headquarters is located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and had been vacated earlier this year following an 'Israeli' decision.
The UNRWA chief described the action as “a blatant disregard of Israel’s obligation as a United Nations Member State to protect & respect the inviolability of UN premises.” He explained that UNRWA personnel were forced to leave the compound “following months of harassment that included arson attacks in 2024, hateful demonstrations & intimidation, supported by a large-scale disinformation campaign, as well as anti-UNRWA legislation passed by the Israeli parliament in breach of its international obligations.”
“Whatever action taken domestically, the compound retains its status as a UN premises, immune from any form of interference,” Lazzarini stressed. He reminded that 'Israel' “is party to the Convention on the Privileges & Immunities of the UN. The Convention makes UN premises inviolable - in other words, immune from search and/or seizure - and makes UN property and assets immune from legal process.”
“There can be no exceptions. To allow this represents a new challenge to international law, one that creates a dangerous precedent anywhere else the UN is present across the world,” Lazzarini warned.
UNRWA, established more than 70 years ago, provides aid to Palestinians displaced from their land. The agency has faced growing financial difficulties after 'Israel' launched a defamation campaign alleging staff involvement in the October 7 attacks. Despite requests for evidence from the 'Israeli' government, UNRWA has received no response. Following these claims, several key donors, including the United States, paused or suspended funding.
