Despite dealing with assaults, procedures and laws from Israeli officers and activists, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees within the Near East (UNRWA) will keep its operations at its East Jerusalem headquarters, confirmed company spokesman Jonathan Fowler.
Israeli authorities had ordered UNRWA to vacate its headquarters within the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem inside 30 days, alleging the company’s “failure to acquire approval” from the Israel Lands Authority for the development of the headquarters on that land.
In the primary official response from UNRWA relating to the choice, Fowler informed Anadolu Agency (AA) on the company’s Sheikh Jarrah headquarters, “We learned about the decision through the media and did not receive any information directly from the Israeli authorities.”
Fowler denounced the Israeli authorities’ focusing on of UNRWA, stating that “this is not the way things are supposed to be done regarding international diplomacy and respect for United Nations entities, as our headquarters is akin to a diplomatic compound.”
Here to remain
“We are unequivocal about our stance. UNRWA has maintained a presence on this headquarters and one other facility in East Jerusalem because the early Fifties,” mentioned Fowler.
“We rented the 2 headquarters from the Jordanian authorities beneath a long-term lease, as they’d guardianship over Jerusalem at the moment,” he mentioned.
“It’s evident that there have been adjustments within the political panorama right here because the 1967 conflict, however our place stays unchanged,” he added.
The official reiterated the company’s stance by emphasizing: “We have every right to be where we are. We are staying put, and the legal status quo remains unchanged for us. In fact, we are stationed here in an occupied territory under international law.”
Responding to a question about whether or not UNRWA plans to legally contest the choice, Fowler clarified that his group “is not involved in the Israeli court system.”
However, he famous, “According to diplomatic agreements, which extend to United Nations entities like UNRWA, being present in a location entitles you to certain diplomatic privileges, and these privileges are upheld.”
Israel’s choice to evacuate UNRWA from its headquarters within the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood adopted weeks of protests by far-right Israelis, spearheaded by Jerusalem’s Deputy Mayor Aryeh King, opposing the company’s presence within the space.
Prior to the choice, these protesters had additionally set fires close to the company’s headquarters, eliciting widespread worldwide condemnation.
Concurrently with its ongoing conflict on the Gaza Strip, now in its ninth month, Israel initiated a marketing campaign towards UNRWA, considerably impeding its operations within the area.
Israel cited UNRWA’s alleged “lack of neutrality” and the purported “involvement” of its workers in a Hamas-led assault on Oct. 7, 2023.
An investigation relating to UNRWA’s efficiency performed by an unbiased worldwide committee concluded on April 22 and located that “Israel did not provide any evidence” to assist its allegations relating to the company’s lack of impartiality.
Far-right assaults
Fowler disclosed widespread assaults carried out by far-right Israelis towards the company’s headquarters within the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and its employees.
“They spat at us, and their youngsters threw stones at our automobiles, escalating to the purpose of arson, which was publicly denounced by the UNRWA’s Commissioner-General,” mentioned Fowler.
“Unfortunately, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Aryeh King promptly responded with a submit on X, stating: Expect extra from the identical individuals, and reiterated statements comparable to ‘we’ll reclaim your headquarters, and we’ll take motion towards the company’s coaching heart within the city of Qalandiya, north of Jerusalem’,” the official added.
“For this reason, we perceive that the attacks by the far-right in Israel are part of a larger pattern, aiming to eliminate us,” Fowler said, stressing, “We are right here to remain in East Jerusalem, and we is not going to relocate elsewhere.”
Fowler highlighted that the Israeli focusing on of the UNRWA “fits into a broader pattern that is escalating in severity.”
He famous that “the most egregious instance” of this sample is “the targeting of our facilities in the Gaza Strip and the loss of our staff members there.”
He regarded the “disregard for United Nations personnel and infrastructure” as the “most alarming side” of the present state of affairs.
Israeli focusing on in West Bank
Regarding the Israeli focusing on of the UNRWA within the West Bank, Fowler mentioned: “Our employees in the West Bank are facing significant constraints on their movement, hindering their ability to effectively carry out their duties,” adding that “they’re unable to entry our workplace in East Jerusalem resulting from difficulties in acquiring permits.”
“We discover ourselves in a state of affairs akin to a quarantine interval throughout the coronavirus pandemic, the place our academics are unable to commute to work, our workers face intimidation at checkpoints and our proper to unrestricted motion all through the West Bank by way of UN automobiles is just not being upheld,” he added.
Fowler additionally indicated that he “personally” was focused by the Israeli authorities within the West Bank.
“I used to be turned away at an Israeli military checkpoint within the metropolis of Nablus within the northern West Bank, regardless of them missing the authority to disclaim us entry,” mentioned the official.
Fowler highlighted that the Israeli Knesset (parliament) just lately handed, in its preliminary studying, a draft legislation geared toward stripping UNRWA of its privileges and designating it as a “terrorist” group.
He mentioned: “We are carefully monitoring the numerous measures being pursued, nevertheless it’s essential to notice that actions taken in parliaments, comparable to this draft legislation, typically stem from particular person initiatives.”
International group failure
Fowler affirmed that that is a part of a broader sample and an overarching marketing campaign by Israel to dismantle UNRWA.
He famous that “UNRWA has been finishing up its mission to assist Palestinian refugees for over 70 years, not out of a need to stay within the area and proceed operations, however as a result of it has an obligation to meet.”
“Mandated by the United Nations General Assembly, UNRWA persists in its work till a simply and enduring decision to the Palestinian refugee disaster is achieved,” he added.
Fowler famous, “We are here not by choice, but because the international community has politically failed to address the longstanding refugee crisis.”
The UNRWA was established by a decision of the United Nations General Assembly in 1949, tasked with delivering support and safeguarding Palestinian refugees throughout its 5 operational areas: Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Source: www.dailysabah.com