11 Countries Condemn the Demolition of UNRWA Headquarters 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 operations carried out by the Israeli occupation authorities at the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Jerusalem on January 20.

In a joint statement issued today, Wednesday, the countries considered that this unprecedented act against UNRWA by a UN member state represents an unacceptable step aimed at undermining its capacity to operate.

The countries urged the Israeli occupation government to adhere to its international obligations to ensure the protection and sanctity of UN premises, in accordance with the provisions of the 1946 UN General Convention and the UN Charter, calling on Israel, as a UN member, to halt all demolition operations.

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

They welcomed UNRWA's commitment to reform and implementation of the recommendations of 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 again expressed "concern regarding the application of Israeli government legislation approved by the Israeli Knesset in October 2024, which was reinforced in December 2025, prohibiting any contact between entities and Israeli government officials and UNRWA, effectively preventing any presence of UNRWA within Israel and in Jerusalem, including the provision of electricity, water, and gas to properties registered in UNRWA's name."

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

They emphasized the need to ensure that international NGOs can 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 importing humanitarian goods, including materials classified as "dual-use" which are essential for humanitarian operations and early recovery efforts.