UNRWA Accuses Israel of Seizing Properties, Jerusalem Municipality Denies
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has accused Israel of taking over buildings it says belong to the agency in the Shuafat refugee camp in East Jerusalem, a claim denied by the Jerusalem Municipality.
In a statement by UNRWA West Bank director Roland Friedrich, the agency said Jerusalem Municipality personnel had entered UNRWA facilities without authorization, including a school compound, health center and community services office.
The municipality said that “these are not UNRWA properties, but privately owned properties for which the municipality has signed a usage agreement.”
“According to the owners of these properties, UNRWA itself unlawfully took control of them and did not pay [rent] during this period,” the municipality said, adding that it plans to open educational institutions there for nearby residents.
UNRWA said the premises were forcibly entered by breaking locks and that municipal contractors had begun work at the sites, claiming the actions violate international law protecting UNRWA property.
In late 2024, Israel passed legislation banning UNRWA from operating in Israeli territory, including East Jerusalem, alleging that the agency was riddled with Hamas terrorists and promoted anti-Israel sentiment in its schools. Israel subsequently shut UNRWA schools in Shuafat and other parts of East Jerusalem.
Israel has repeatedly accused UNRWA employees of involvement with terror groups in Gaza, including participation by some in the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, invasion and slaughter. In June, amid Israeli accusations that UN staffers were Hamas operatives, UNRWA fired 70 Gaza employees “to mitigate safety and security risks for the refugees,” without naming the terror group.
Israel has also long accused UNRWA schools of inciting hatred of Israel and glorifying attacks against Israelis.
