European Union and 14 Countries Renew Support for UNRWA

Al-Taj News – The European Union, along with Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, expressed their support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

“We, the members of UNRWA’s Advisory Commission, strongly condemn the illegal entry into the Agency’s training center in Qalandia and the seizure of its facilities in East Jerusalem on the 25th of this month,” a joint statement issued Friday said.

The statement added: “Therefore, we call on the State of Israel to fulfill its obligations and immediately cease all forms of disruption to UNRWA’s activities and operations.”

It noted that the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities protects United Nations premises under international law and must be respected.

The countries that signed the statement, along with the European Union, urged the Israeli authorities to immediately and fully comply with their obligations toward the United Nations, enabling UNRWA to carry out its mandated activities without any interference.

On Tuesday, Israeli occupation forces evacuated the Qalandia Vocational Training Institute affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in Kafr Aqab, north of occupied Jerusalem, seized its compound, and raised the occupation flag in its courtyard, just one day after 28 diplomatic missions visited the center and observed firsthand the violations and threats it faces.