Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General – on the unauthorized entry into and interference with the UNRWA Kalandia Training Centre
The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms today’s actions by the Israeli authorities, including security forces, to unlawfully enter and remain on the UNRWA Kalandia Training Centre in occupied East Jerusalem and carry out unauthorized works in those premises. UNRWA staff members were present in the Centre at the time of the unauthorized entry by the Israeli authorities.
The Secretary-General is greatly alarmed at this development, as it will deprive young people of the vocational education they were receiving.
For over 70 years, the Centre has supported thousands of Palestine refugees through vocational education and pathways to work.
Today’s actions are the fifth instance of unauthorized entry by the Israeli authorities into the Centre since May this year and follow other unacceptable breaches of the inviolability of and interference with UNRWA premises in occupied East Jerusalem, including the seizure and demolition of the Sheikh Jarrah compound, as well as the cutting off the supply of water and electricity services to multiple UNRWA facilities. These actions take place in the context of domestic legislation which significantly impedes UNRWA from fulfilling the mandate in the Occupied Palestine Territory entrusted to it by the General Assembly, most recently in resolution 80/78. I reiterate my call for the repeal of the legislation.
The Kalandia Training Centre and other UNRWA premises are premises of the United Nations. They are inviolable and immune from any form of interference.
These actions against UNRWA premises are wholly unacceptable and inconsistent with Israel’s clear obligations under international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. The International Court of Justice, in its Advisory Opinion of 22 October 2025, confirmed that with regard to the premises of the United Nations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Israel must respect their inviolability and not interfere with the performance of their functions.
The Secretary-General urges the Government of Israel to immediately cease the interference with UNRWA premises, vacate, return and restore all affected premises to the United Nations without delay, and protect those premises from further interference or damage.
: Stéphane Dujarric
Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General