New York, Dec. 9 (SANA) Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), condemned the Israeli police raid on the agency’s compound in occupied East Jerusalem, describing it as a dangerous precedent and a blatant violation of the inviolability of UN premises.
Lazzarini explained that Israeli forces entered the compound early Monday with motorcycles, trucks, and forklifts, severed all communications, confiscated furniture and IT equipment, and replaced the UN flag with Israel’s. He emphasized that the site retains its UN status and is fully protected under international law, underscoring Israel’s obligations as a UN member to respect the sanctity of the premises.
The UN official noted that the raid follows months of harassment, including deliberate arson attacks in 2024, hate-driven protests, intimidation campaigns, and anti‑UNRWA legislation passed by the Israeli Knesset. Earlier this year, UNRWA staff were compelled to evacuate the compound amid ongoing threats.
“Despite these actions, the compound’s UN status and immunity remain intact,” Lazzarini stressed, highlighting that Israel is bound by the UN Convention on Privileges and Immunities, which shields UN premises from inspection, seizure, or interference of any kind.
He also recalled that the International Court of Justice has affirmed Israel’s legal duty to cooperate with UNRWA and other UN agencies operating in the occupied Palestinian territories
