UN condemns Israeli decision to establish military facilities in East Jerusalem

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned Israel's decision to establish military facilities in one of the UN's compounds in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem.

The decision had been to establish a facility at a compound of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which had been seized in January.

In a statement attributed to his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, the Secretary-General affirmed that UNRWA is an integral part of the UN and that its Sheikh Jarrah compound remains its property, noting that these unprecedented and escalatory measures against the agency constitute a violation of the inviolability of UN premises.

He explained that these actions obstruct the implementation of the clear mandate granted by the United Nations General Assembly to UNRWA to continue its operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

The statement pointed out that such measures are illegal, as confirmed by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and that Israel has no right to exercise sovereign powers over any part of the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

It added that Israel is obligated to end its unlawful presence in the territory, including East Jerusalem, as rapidly as possible.

Guterres added that the continuation of escalatory measures against UNRWA is completely unacceptable, expressing deep regret over the Israeli authorities’ continued steps that violate their obligations regarding the privileges and immunities of the UN.

The UN Secretary-General called on the Israeli government to reverse its decision and immediately return the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound to the United Nations.