- Israeli authorities have sparked another confrontation with the United Nations after seizing a UN facility in East Jerusalem and promising to close it down permanently.
- Israeli police entered a training centre run by UNRWA, ordering the staff to leave and take control of the facility, known as the Qalandiya training centre.
- Itamar Ben-Gvir was accompanied by police during the seizure and stated, "UNRWA is out" and that "the terrorists must be expelled from every place in the State of Israel."
- UNRWA condemned the seizure, stating that the entry of armed security forces into a United Nations facility without authorization is unacceptable.
- UN officials described Israel's actions as "wholly unacceptable and inconsistent with Israel's obligations under international law."
- Israel has also advanced plans for a new settlement in E1, proposing the construction of about 1,200 housing units.
- Nearly two dozen Western nations condemned the E1 move and called for its immediate reversal in the strongest terms.
- In January, Israeli authorities demolished UNRWA's headquarters compound in Sheikh Jarrah, escalating tensions with the UN.
- The Qalandiya training centre has been operational for over 70 years, providing professional skills to thousands of Palestinians.
- Israel's actions are seen as part of a broader strategy to assert sovereignty over Palestinian lands and religious sites, making a future Palestinian state increasingly impossible.
Israeli authorities have escalated tensions with the United Nations by seizing a UN facility in East Jerusalem, the Qalandiya training centre, which has operated for over 70 years.111
The facility was taken under the direction of far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who stated, "UNRWA is out", reflecting the Israeli government's long-standing criticism of the agency.2345
The Israeli government claims that UNRWA has been infiltrated by Hamas members, alleging that some participated in the October 7 attacks.
However, UNRWA has denied these claims, stating that it terminated contracts of nine staff members linked to the attacks but has not received evidence of widespread infiltration.
The UN condemned Israel's actions, calling them "wholly unacceptable and inconsistent with Israel's obligations under international law". A spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General emphasized that the entry of armed forces into a UN facility without authorization is unacceptable.
The seizure of the Qalandiya centre raises significant concerns, as under a 1946 UN convention, UN premises are considered inviolable. The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, urged Israel to withdraw from the facility, asserting it should be immune from interference.
This incident occurs amid rising violence in the West Bank and ongoing plans by the Israeli government to expand settlements, which many nations have condemned.
The situation reflects a broader pattern of Israeli actions that have led to increased tensions and violence in the region, particularly following the October 2023 attacks by Hamas and Israel's subsequent military response in Gaza.
“The Qalandiya training centre, established over 70 years ago, has taught professional skills to thousands of Palestinians. UNRWA terminated nine staff accused of involvement in the October 7 attacks, but says Israel has not supplied evidence of widespread infiltration.”
