UNRWA chief slams Israel over arson attack on HQ

The head of the United Nations’ agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has issued a withering statement condemning Israel as lawless and arrogant. This comes after UNRWA’s buildings in East Jerusalem were set on fire today by arsonists.

The arson attack comes after Israeli bulldozers moved in to demolish a large part of UNRWA’s HQ in the occupied city. According to Israeli media, the occupation has earmarked the site for hundreds more illegal settler homes. This is part of its war on international support for the right of Palestinians to return to homes and land stolen from them.

In a statement on the UN website, Lazzarini wrote the following:

There are no limits to the defiance of the United Nations and international law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

After having been stormed and demolished by the Israeli authorities, the UNRWA Headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem has now been set on fire.

Allowing this unprecedented destruction is the latest attack on the UN in the ongoing attempt to dismantle the status of Palestine Refugees in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and erase their history.

Refugee status must be resolved through a genuine political solution, not criminal acts.

The International Court of Justice has ruled that Israel is obliged to:

facilitate UNRWA’s operations, not hinder or prevent them.

The court has also emphasised that Israel has no jurisdiction or status in East Jerusalem.

Featured image via UNRWA/the Canary