OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)
The Jerusalem Governorate has condemned Israel’s approval of a new plan to establish a military museum, a recruitment office, and a headquarters for the security ministry on the ruins of the UNRWA compound in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah.
On Sunday, the Jerusalem Governorate described the plan as a “grave escalation, unlawful under international law, and a violation of UN immunities.”
“This plan constitutes a grave breach of all rules of international law and norms, and a clear violation of Israel’s obligations as an occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention, particularly regarding the protection of public property and ensuring the work of international humanitarian bodies without obstruction, as well as the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations,” the Jerusalem Governorate underscored.
“The new colonial project comes after the Israeli occupation authority demolished the UNRWA compound in Sheikh Jarrah last January, under the direct supervision of national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir. Shortly afterward, they issued a seizure order in favor of the so‑called ‘Israel land authority,’ although the compound belongs to the UN and enjoys legal immunity that protects it against any executive, administrative, judicial, or legislative measures,” the Jerusalem Governorate added.
The Governorate called on UN secretary‑general Antonio Guterres to take urgent steps to refer Israel to the International Court of Justice if it does not revoke the laws and measures targeting UNRWA and refuses to return seized property.
