In a move condemned as a blatant violation of international norms, Israeli authorities have demolished the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Jerusalem. The demolition, carried out under the guise of an official government decision, took place in broad daylight.
The destruction of the UNRWA headquarters is not merely the razing of internationally protected buildings, but represents the culmination of a legislative and military campaign aimed at dismantling the organization. Israel views UNRWA as an “existential threat” because it serves as a living testament to the plight of Palestinian refugees and displaced persons.
The assault on UNRWA extends beyond the physical destruction of its facilities. The Israeli Knesset has enacted laws prohibiting the agency’s activities and barring any contact with its personnel. These measures coincide with a deadly campaign that resulted in the deaths of over 270 UNRWA employees during Israel’s recent military operations in the Gaza Strip, as well as an international smear campaign that successfully pressured several major countries to suspend their funding.
Israel contends that UNRWA’s continued existence perpetuates the refugee issue on the international stage, and seeks to eliminate this by stripping the descendants of Palestinians displaced in 1948 of their refugee status.
A Legacy of the Nakba
UNRWA was established in 1949 by UN General Assembly Resolution 302, in the aftermath of the Nakba, to provide protection and assistance to Palestinians displaced on ethnic grounds. Officially commencing operations in 1950, UNRWA’s history is inextricably linked to the Palestinian cause.
Although initially conceived as a temporary agency, the ongoing occupation and the absence of a just resolution have led the international community to repeatedly renew its mandate. This makes UNRWA a unique international commitment to a single refugee population, encompassing those who lost their homes between 1946 and 1948, their descendants, and their offspring.
A Lifeline for Millions
Today, UNRWA is a major relief organization, providing services to approximately 6 million Palestinians across five regions: the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Its services encompass education and healthcare.
