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EU and 14 countries call on Israel to stop interfering with UNRWA
The European Union and 14 countries condemned the seizure of UNRWA’s Kalandia Training Centre in occupied East Jerusalem and called on Israel to stop interfering with the agency. The centre provides training in 16 vocational fields to around 270 students.
The intervention targeting UNRWA’s facility in East Jerusalem, which serves Palestinian refugees, drew a joint response from the European Union and 14 countries. The countries condemned Israeli forces’ entry into and seizure of the Kalandia Training Centre and reiterated their support for UNRWA.
Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, the EU, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom signed the joint statement issued by the Belgian Consulate General in Jerusalem. The statement strongly condemned the “unlawful entry” by Israeli forces into the centre on Tuesday and the seizure of UNRWA facilities in East Jerusalem.
Call to respect UN facilities
The signatory countries, which are members of UNRWA’s Advisory Commission, said UN facilities are protected under international law pursuant to the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. The statement stressed that this protection must be respected.
Israel was urged to “immediately and fully comply” with UN directives that enable UNRWA to carry out its mandate without interference. The signatories also called for all disruptions to UNRWA’s activities and operations to end without delay.
Intervention at the Kalandia Training Centre
Israeli forces removed UNRWA staff from the Kalandia Training Centre on Tuesday, seized the facility and erected an Israeli flag in its courtyard. Israeli soldiers also deployed in the streets of Kalandia Refugee Camp and the nearby Kafr Aqab neighborhood, carrying out raids and searches and questioning Palestinians.
The centre includes educational, vocational development and health facilities, as well as training workshops, classrooms, dormitories and administrative buildings. The first centre established by UNRWA in Palestine, the facility began operating in 1952. The Kalandia Training Centre serves around 270 students in 16 vocational fields, with between 250 and 300 students graduating each year.
History of pressure on UNRWA
Since 1967, Israel has kept the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, under occupation in violation of UN resolutions. The development involving the Kalandia Training Centre came at a time when Israel was increasing pressure on UNRWA.
In 2024, Israel’s Knesset passed a law restricting UNRWA’s activities and banning the agency from operating inside Israel. The controversial legislation entered into force at the beginning of last year.
Last October, the International Court of Justice reaffirmed Israel’s obligation to respect the inviolability of UN facilities, including those operated by UNRWA, and not to interfere with the agency’s work.
A month later, the UN General Assembly extended UNRWA’s mandate for three years despite Israel’s pressure. The decision allowed the agency to continue its work until June 2029.
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