Occupation decides to establish a new "security complex" on the ruins of UNRWA headquarters in Jerusalem

SadaNews - The Israeli government approved on Sunday the establishment of a new security complex on the ruins of the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied Jerusalem, which will include an office for the Minister of Security, a museum for the occupation army, and a recruitment office.

The decision came according to a joint statement issued by the Israeli Ministry of Security and the Municipality of occupation in Jerusalem, which specified the establishment of the new facilities on the land of the former "UNRWA" complex that was seized by the occupation authorities earlier this year.

According to the statement, an area of 36 dunams will be allocated to the Israeli Ministry of Security for the establishment of a "new museum for the Israeli army" and an "advanced" recruitment office, along with an office for the Minister of Security of the occupation.

Katz stated that the decision taken by the government "is related to sovereignty, Zionism, and security," adding: "There is nothing more symbolic than establishing the recruitment office on the ruins of the UNRWA complex," as he put it.

He added: "This is a clear message to all our enemies: We continue to build Jerusalem and strengthen our control over it from a position of strength," and he attacked UNRWA, describing it as a "terrorism-supporting organization," as he expressed.

Katz considered that the government led by Benjamin Netanyahu approved his proposal to establish the new complex, adding: "We have liberated a new area in Jerusalem," as he expressed; this decision coincides with the anniversary of the city’s occupation according to the Hebrew calendar.

For his part, Israeli Minister of Construction and Housing, Chaim Katz, stated that establishing the army museum and the new recruitment office is a "necessary and important step," adding that Israel "is transforming an area that was previously used by an international hostile body into a space for preserving Israel's heritage and improving the conditions for recruits," as he said.

The occupation authorities had seized the "UNRWA" complex in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood on January 20, following its storming and the destruction of facilities inside it, while Israeli National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, described the storming operation at the time as a "historic day."

In contrast, the Jerusalem Governorate considered that the establishment of Israeli military facilities on the ruins of the "UNRWA" headquarters represents a "serious escalation and a flagrant violation of international law," emphasizing that the step violates the immunities and privileges granted to United Nations institutions.

The governorate stated in a statement that the project constitutes a "serious violation" of the Fourth Geneva Convention and a violation of the 1946 United Nations Privileges and Immunities Convention, pointing out that the complex belongs to the United Nations and enjoys legal immunity that prevents it from being subjected to any procedures.

The governorate added that the scheme reflects an "escalating colonial tendency to impose new Judaizing facts in occupied Jerusalem," considering the establishment of a museum for the "heritage of the Israeli army" near the "Ammunition Hill" to be an attempt to enhance the Israeli military narrative and link historical Palestinian sites with the occupation narrative.

It stressed that all Israeli decisions regarding "UNRWA" in East Jerusalem are "null and void and have no legal effect," affirming that East Jerusalem is part of the occupied Palestinian territories according to international law and United Nations resolutions.

The governorate called on United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to take urgent action to bring Israel before the International Court of Justice if it does not retract the measures and laws targeting "UNRWA" and return the properties it seized.

UNRWA had evacuated the headquarters at the beginning of 2025, after the Israeli government's decision to ban the agency's work in Jerusalem under legislation passed by the Israeli Knesset.