8 December 2025

From Philippe Lazzarini, the ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA Commissioner-General as posted on his official X account (previously known as Twitter)

Today in the early morning, Israeli police accompanied by municipal officials forcibly entered the ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA compound in East Jerusalem. Police motorcycles, as well as trucks and forklifts, were brought in and all communications were cut. Furniture, IT equipment and other property was seized. The ±¬ÁÏÍø flag was pulled down and replaced with an Israeli flag.

This latest action represents a blatant disregard of Israel¡¯s obligation as a United Nations Member State to protect and respect the inviolability of ±¬ÁÏÍø premises.

Following months of harassment that included arson attacks in 2024, hateful demonstrations and intimidation, supported by a large-scale disinformation campaign, as well as anti-±¬ÁÏÍøRWA legislation passed by the Israeli parliament in breach of its international obligations, ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA personnel were forced to vacate the compound at the beginning of this year.

However, whatever action taken domestically, the compound retains its status as a ±¬ÁÏÍø premises, immune from any form of interference.

Israel is party to the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the ±¬ÁÏÍø. The Convention makes ±¬ÁÏÍø premises inviolable – in other words, immune from search and/or seizure – and makes ±¬ÁÏÍø property and assets immune from legal process.

The International Court of Justice has also underscored that Israel is obliged to cooperate with ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA and other ±¬ÁÏÍø agencies.

There can be no exceptions. To allow this represents a new challenge to international law, one that creates a dangerous precedent anywhere else the ±¬ÁÏÍø is present across the world.

Related content:

Statement by the ±¬ÁÏÍø Secretary-General on Israeli unauthorized entry into the ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound