Tuesday, 02 January 2024 12:17 GMT

UN Urges Israel to Safeguard Immunity of UN Premises


(MENAFN) The UN stated on Monday that it had appealed to Israel to “honor and respect” the protected status and inviolability of all United Nations facilities, following an Israeli decision to repurpose the previously demolished headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem into a military and defense complex.

UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq informed journalists that “Obviously, the UNRWA sites are UN premises, and they're meant to be inviolable,” stressing their protected legal and diplomatic status.

He further noted that the UN had already “raised concerns about exactly what's happened to the site, the way it was invaded, the way it was taken over,” and emphasized that those objections “still apply,” indicating that the organization’s position has not changed.

He also highlighted that, “As a party to the 1946 convention on the privileges and immunities of the UN, Israel is under obligation to honor and respect the inviolability of all UN premises, including for UNRWA,” pointing to Israel’s legal responsibilities under international agreements.

On Sunday, the Israeli government endorsed plans to build a facility for Defense Minister Israel Katz, a military museum, and an army recruitment center on the grounds of the former UNRWA compound located in Sheikh Jarrah in occupied East Jerusalem.

A combined statement issued by Israel’s Defense Ministry and the Jerusalem municipality indicated that the ministry will assign 36 dunams (approximately 8.9 acres) of land for the development of a new Israeli military museum and “an advanced recruitment office.”

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