Israeli Police Raid UNRWA Headquarters in East Jerusalem, Seize Property

Israeli police and municipal officials forcibly entered the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) compound in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood on December 8, 2025. During the operation, authorities seized furniture, IT equipment, and other property, and replaced the UN flag with the Israeli flag.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini condemned the raid, stating it represented "a blatant disregard of Israel’s obligation as a United Nations Member State to protect and respect the inviolability of UN premises."

UN Secretary-General António Guterres also criticized the action, emphasizing that the UNRWA compound remains United Nations property and is "inviolable and immune from any other form of interference." He urged Israel to "immediately take all necessary steps to restore, preserve and uphold the inviolability of UNRWA premises."

Israeli authorities stated that the operation was part of a debt-collection procedure. Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Arieh King indicated that the raid aimed to address several years of unpaid property taxes and to gather intelligence on the compound's current occupants.

UNRWA has faced increasing restrictions in East Jerusalem, including an Israeli ban on its operations since January 2025. The agency provides essential services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the region.

The incident has drawn international attention, with UN officials calling for Israel to respect the agency's immunities and facilitate its humanitarian work in accordance with international law.