UN considers response to Israeli move to build a military compound on site of relief agency
The U.N. is reviewing its legal response as Israel moves ahead with a defense complex that includes a museum and enlistment office.
- Israel announced Sunday it will build a defense ministry complex at the former United Nations Relief and Works Agency compound in Sheikh Jarrah, including a museum and enlistment office.
- Defense Minister Israel Katz called the plan a decision of "sovereignty, Zionism and security," claiming the former site hosted an organization that became part of the "terror and incitement mechanism against Israel."
- UNRWA Deputy Commissioner General Natalie Boucly warned the move breaches the 1946 UN Convention on privileges and immunities; the United Nations legal council in New York is considering its response.
- Israel's Knesset curtailed agency operations last year by passing legislation banning it from functioning in Jerusalem, though the United Nations Relief and Works Agency continues serving 2.5 million Palestinian refugees.
- The announcement occurred on Jerusalem Day, marking Israel's 1967 capture of the city; Israel considers it its capital, while Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as their future state's capital.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Associated Press News
UN considers response to Israeli move to build a military compound on site of relief agency
The United Nations is reviewing Israel's plan to turn a former U.N. agency headquarters in east Jerusalem into a military complex.
On the 17th, the Israeli government approved the construction of a facility, including a military museum, on the former site of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in occupied East Jerusalem. Local media outlet "Times of Israel" reported…
Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms the Israeli authorities’ decision to establish military facilities at the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound in East Jerusalem that they had seized in January.
Palestine condemns Israeli approval of defense complex on site of former UNRWA HQ
Israel's approval of building a new defense complex at the site of the former headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem is a "serious violation of international law," the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said Monday, reported Xinhua. In a press statement, the ministry said converting the UNRWA headquarters into Israeli military and security installations "represents a…
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