'Israeli' soldiers replacing UN flag at UNRWA compound
UNRWA calls 'Israeli' debt seizure at compound illegal under international law
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- 'Israeli' authorities seized assets from the UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem, replacing the UN flag with an 'Israeli' one.
- UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini condemned the action as a violation of international law.
- 'Israel' said the seizure was part of a municipal debt-collection operation; UNRWA disputed any legal obligation to pay.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) sharply criticized 'Israeli' authorities Monday after assets were removed from its East Jerusalem compound, including furniture and IT equipment, and the UN flag was replaced with an 'Israeli' one.
“Today in the early morning, Israeli police accompanied by municipal officials forcibly entered the UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem,” UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said on X. Trucks and forklifts were reportedly used to remove property from the premises.
'Israeli' police described the operation as part of a debt-collection procedure conducted by the Jerusalem municipality. Police spokesman Dean Elsdunne told AFP that the action related to Arnona, a municipal residence tax.
Roland Friedrich, UNRWA director for the West Bank and East Jerusalem, disputed 'Israel’s' explanation. “There is no debt because the United Nations, and UNRWA is part of the United Nations and is a UN agency, is not required to pay any kind of taxes of that kind under international law and under the law that Israel itself has adopted,” he said. International conventions dating back to 1946 protect UN premises from taxation or interference by host countries.
Lazzarini, who has been declared persona non grata in 'Israel', emphasized that the compound retains its UN status. “Whatever action taken domestically, the compound retains its status as a UN premises, immune from any form of interference,” he said.
The East Jerusalem compound has been empty of UNRWA staff since January, when a law banning the agency’s operations in the city took effect. 'Israel' has accused UNRWA of providing cover for Hamas, and the legislation bars the agency from contact with 'Israeli' officials. While the ban applies to East Jerusalem, UNRWA continues to operate in the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
