11 Countries Condemn Demolition of UNRWA Office in Jerusalem: Represents an Unacceptable Step

SadaNews - Foreign ministers from Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom condemned the demolition carried out by the Israeli occupying authorities of the office of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Jerusalem on January 20th.

The countries stated in a joint statement today, Wednesday, that this unprecedented act against UNRWA by a UN member state represents an unacceptable step aimed at undermining its ability to function.

The countries urged the Israeli occupying government to fulfill its international obligations to ensure the protection and sanctity of UN premises, in accordance with the provisions of the 1946 General Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and the United Nations Charter, calling on Israel, as a UN member, to stop all demolition operations.

They reiterated their full support for the indispensable role that UNRWA plays in providing essential services and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.

They welcomed UNRWA's commitment to reform and the implementation of the recommendations from the Colonna Report, considering that UNRWA is a service entity providing healthcare and education to millions of Palestinians across the region, especially in Gaza, and must be able to operate without restrictions.

The countries expressed again their "concern over the Israeli government's implementation of legislation approved by the Israeli Knesset in October 2024 and reinforced in December 2025, which prohibits any contact between Israeli government entities and officials and UNRWA, effectively preventing any UNRWA presence within Israel and Jerusalem, including providing registered properties under UNRWA's name with electricity, water, and gas".

The countries called on Israel to fully comply with its obligations to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip in accordance with international law, and despite the increase in the amount of aid entering the sector, noting that conditions remain catastrophic, and supplies are insufficient to meet the needs of the population. Israel must take urgent and fundamental steps, including allowing immediate and safe unhindered expansion of humanitarian aid and services throughout Gaza and the West Bank, in accordance with international humanitarian law.

They emphasized the need to ensure that international NGOs are enabled to operate in Gaza, including lifting restrictive registration requirements, reopening all crossings, including announced plans to reopen the Rafah crossing in both directions, and lifting ongoing restrictions on the import of humanitarian goods, including materials classified as "dual-use" that are essential for humanitarian operations and early recovery efforts.