Diplomatic missions affiliated with the European Union in Jerusalem and Ramallah have issued a strong condemnation of a forcible Israeli raid on premises belonging to the UNRWA in occupied East Jerusalem, describing the incident as a serious breach of international law and United Nations protections.

In a joint statement, EU-affiliated missions — together with France, Germany, Finland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Greece, Cyprus, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain — said the raid involved the seizure of property, the cutting of communication lines, and the replacement of the United Nations flag with the Israeli flag. The diplomats stressed that these actions amount to a “flagrant violation” of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, which guarantees the inviolability of UN premises and protects international organizations from interference.

The statement warned that the raid sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the foundations of international law, including the Geneva Conventions, which provide legal protections to humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones and occupied territories.

EU diplomats emphasized that Israel is legally bound to respect its obligations under international agreements, particularly those ensuring the safety and independence of United Nations institutions. They called for an immediate halt to violations against UN facilities and urged full respect for the legal framework that safeguards humanitarian operations.

The joint declaration concluded that continued disregard for UN immunities and international humanitarian law threatens not only the work of UN agencies on the ground, but also the integrity of the international legal system as a whole. (ILKHA)