Eleven Countries Condemn Israel’s Demolition Of UNRWA East Jerusalem Headquarters

Eleven countries have issued a joint condemnation of Israel’s demolition of the East Jerusalem headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), calling the action 'the latest unacceptable move to undermine' the agency’s work.

What Happened

In a statement released on Wednesday, the foreign ministers of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom described the demolition as an 'unprecedented act' directed against a UN agency and urged Israel to halt further demolitions.

Official Responses

'We call upon the Government of Israel, a member of the United Nations, to halt all demolitions,' the ministers said in their joint statement.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said Israeli forces entered the East Jerusalem compound and began demolishing buildings, calling the operation 'an unprecedented attack against a United Nations agency and its premises.' He added that Israel, like all UN member states, is obliged to protect the inviolability of UN premises.

Allegations Against UNRWA and the Agency's Role

The Israeli government — and some partners, including the United States — have accused UNRWA of links to Hamas. The United Nations has rejected those allegations and says the agency remains a principal provider of healthcare, education and humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees across the region.

Humanitarian officials note that UNRWA is one of the most capable organizations for distributing food, water, medicine and other essential aid inside Gaza.

Legal And Political Context

In late 2024, Israel’s parliament passed legislation barring UNRWA from operating in areas under Israeli control and approved amendments in December to strengthen that prohibition. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other international officials criticized those moves.

Commissioner-General Lazzarini also warned that the demolition 'flies in the face' of an October 2025 ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ found that Israel has an obligation under international law to lift restrictions on the agency's operations and to facilitate United Nations relief schemes, including those provided by UNRWA.

Humanitarian Impact

The joint statement urged Israel to facilitate aid deliveries to Gaza, where health authorities report at least 71,660 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023. The ministers warned that, despite increased aid flows, conditions on the ground remain dire and supplies are inadequate to meet the population's needs.

Under international law, as the occupying power for Gaza, Israel has an obligation to ensure the needs of the occupied population are met. As part of a US-brokered ceasefire that took effect in October, the Israeli government agreed to permit up to 600 humanitarian aid trucks per day into Gaza, a commitment that international observers say has not consistently been met. Since the ceasefire began, Gaza health authorities report at least 492 deaths from Israeli attacks.

International Reaction And Next Steps

The 11 foreign ministers reaffirmed their 'full support for UNRWA’s indispensable mission' to deliver services and humanitarian assistance in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. They urged Israel to allow UNRWA to operate without restrictions and to facilitate the delivery of life-saving aid across Gaza.

It remains unclear whether Israel will reverse the demolition actions or whether further diplomatic pressure from these and other states will change the operational environment for UNRWA in Jerusalem and Gaza.

Sources

This report synthesizes the joint statement by the 11 foreign ministers, public comments by UNRWA leadership, the October 2025 ICJ ruling, and casualty and aid-delivery figures reported by Gaza health authorities and international observers.