UNRWA chief condemns Israeli seizure of East Jerusalem training centre as part of campaign to weaken agency

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Saunders said the seizure was “part of a deliberate effort to dismantle UNRWA and eliminate the rights of Palestinian refugees.” He called on the international community to intervene and hold Israel accountable for violating international law, including the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions.

The Israeli government has not officially responded to the specific incident, but it has a long history of criticising UNRWA, accusing it of perpetuating the refugee crisis and of having ties to militant groups such as Hamas. In recent years, Israel has taken legislative steps to restrict UNRWA’s operations, including a 2024 law that effectively banned the agency from working in Israeli territory, including East Jerusalem, which Israel annexed de facto but is considered occupied under international law.

The training centre, which provided vocational courses for hundreds of Palestinian youth, is the latest UNRWA facility to be targeted. The agency says that since the passage of the 2024 law, its operations in East Jerusalem have been severely hampered, with multiple sites closed or confiscated. UNRWA serves more than five million registered refugees across the Middle East, and its work in Jerusalem has long been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

International reaction has been muted so far, but human rights groups and several UN member states have previously expressed concern over Israeli actions against UNRWA. The United States, traditionally Israel’s key ally, has taken a mixed stance—while it has supported some reforms at the agency, it has also opposed unilateral moves to dismantle it. The European Union has called for the protection of UNRWA’s mandate, warning that disruption to its services could destabilise the region.

Saunders’ comments come amid heightened tensions in the occupied Palestinian territories, with no sign of a political resolution. The UN agency is already under severe financial strain, and the loss of facilities in East Jerusalem further undermines its ability to deliver aid. “This is not just about a building,” Saunders said. “It is about the future of millions of refugees who rely on UNRWA for their basic needs and their hope for a just solution.”

Why This Matters

The seizure directly affects the daily lives of thousands of Palestinian refugees who rely on UNRWA’s vocational training and services in East Jerusalem.
It represents a concrete step in Israel’s stated goal of limiting UNRWA’s role, which could set a precedent for further closures in the West Bank and Gaza.
The incident tests the international community’s willingness to uphold international law and UN mandates regarding the status of occupied East Jerusalem and Palestinian refugee rights.

Background

UNRWA was established in 1949 by the UN General Assembly to provide relief and works for Palestinian refugees displaced by the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. The agency operates in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and Gaza. Israel has long accused UNRWA of perpetuating the refugee issue and of employing staff with ties to militant groups. In 2024, Israel’s Knesset passed a law banning UNRWA from operating on Israeli soil, including East Jerusalem. The law came into effect in early 2025, leading to a series of facility closures and confiscations. International bodies, including the UN and the International Court of Justice, have called the law a violation of Israel’s obligations as an occupying power.

Key Perspectives

[UNRWA and Palestinian representatives]: The seizure is part of a systematic campaign to dismantle the agency and deny Palestinian refugees their right of return and self-determination. They demand immediate return of the facility and international protection for UNRWA’s work.

[Israeli government]: (Based on past statements) Israel views UNRWA as a biased organisation that hinders peace by keeping Palestinians in refugee camps. The government argues that the training centre was being used for activities unrelated to humanitarian aid and that its seizure is a legal step under Israeli sovereignty over unified Jerusalem.

[Critics/Skeptics]: Some analysts question whether UNRWA’s model is sustainable, but note that dismantling it without a political solution would create a humanitarian vacuum. Others point to UNRWA’s governance issues, but argue that Israel’s unilateral moves violate international law and could trigger instability.

What to Watch

Whether the international community, particularly the US and EU, issues formal condemnations or takes diplomatic action such as a UN Security Council resolution.
Further Israeli seizures of UNRWA facilities in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, potentially leading to a complete cessation of UNRWA operations in Israel-controlled territory.
The impact on Palestinian refugees’ access to education and health services, and any resulting protests or unrest in the occupied territories.

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