Such a move contradicts the international legal obligations of UN member States, including Israel, the UN agency affirmed in a statement.
The text recalled that the country is obliged to respect the rules of the UN General Convention on Privileges and Immunities, according to which its premises are inviolable.
Therefore, UNRWA’s property and assets are immune from search, requisition, confiscation, expropriation, and any other form of interference, it said.
The document also noted that “the claims from Israeli authorities that UNRWA has no right to occupy the premises are groundless.”
The statement criticized Israeli rhetoric against that UN agency and said it endangers both its buildings and its staff.
The text underscored that Israel’s authorities have publicly stated that the aim of vacating UNRWA premises in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood is to expand Israeli illegal settlements in occupied East Jerusalem.
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