Lazzarini condemns Israeli raid into UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem

NEW YORK, Dec. 09 (YPA) – UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, condemned on Monday the Israeli raid into the Agency’s headquarters  in East Jerusalem and replacing the UN flag with Israel’s flag.

In a statement on X, Lazzarini said that Israeli police accompanied by municipal officials forcibly entered the UNRWA compound in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah.

“Police motorcycles, as well as trucks and forklifts, were brought in and all communications were cut. Furniture, IT equipment and other property was seized. The UN flag was pulled down and replaced with an Israeli flag.”

He pointed out that “UNRWA personnel were forced to vacate the compound at the beginning of this year.”

He added that this followed “months of harassment that included arson attacks in 2024, hateful demonstrations and intimidation, supported by a large-scale disinformation campaign, as well as anti-UNRWA legislation passed by the Israeli parliament in breach of its international obligations.”

@E.Y.M