Key facts
- Israeli forces occupied the UNRWA Qalandiya Training Centre in occupied East Jerusalem.
- British Minister of State Stephen Doughty condemned the seizure as "outrageous."
- Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir participated in the raid.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the seizure was lawful and in accordance with legislation banning UNRWA's activities in Israel.
- UNRWA condemned the incursion as a violation of international law and UN premises' inviolability.
- Israel plans to convert the centre into an educational and community complex.
Israeli forces have raided and occupied the Qalandiya Training Centre, a facility operated by the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in occupied East Jerusalem. The seizure, which occurred on Tuesday, has drawn strong condemnation from the UK and the UN.
British Minister of State for the Middle East, Stephen Doughty, described the Israeli action as "outrageous" and urged Israel to comply with its international obligations and respect the inviolability of UN premises. He noted that the facility had provided education and opportunity to generations of Palestinian refugees.
Israeli forces, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, stormed the centre, expelling UNRWA employees and initiating "maintenance and renovation" work. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the operation was lawful, citing legislation passed in October 2024 that bans UNRWA's activities in Israel. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced plans to transform the property into an educational and community complex.
The UN unequivocally condemned the incursion, calling it an "unauthorised and deeply concerning" violation of international law and the privileges and immunities afforded to United Nations facilities. UNRWA stressed that the integrity and inviolability of its premises must be respected and protected, and called on the international community to act. The agency rejected Israeli claims that it lacked legal ownership rights to the compound.
According to UNRWA, the Qalandiya Training Centre, established in 1952, offers vocational training to approximately 340 Palestinians from the occupied West Bank annually. During the raid, five Palestinians were reportedly injured by Israeli gunfire near the site.