UN Presence in East Jerusalem Rapidly Diminishing

UNRWA

On Monday, 12 January, in a disgraceful move, Israeli security personnel forcibly entered the UNRWA Jerusalem Health Centre, demanding the removal of UN signage. The Jerusalem Health Centre has been supported over decades by member states, many of whom have visited the premises. Later on the same day, a temporary closure order was issued against the Health Centre, closing it for the next thirty days. It may never open again.

Simultaneously, UNRWA has received notifications from utility providers of impending severance of electricity and water supplies to multiple facilities across East Jerusalem. These buildings include schools, health centres, and other critical service points.

It is not possible to operate humanitarian services without electricity and water.

The 12 January developments follow the December 2025 amendments made to the anti-UNRWA Israeli laws. These shameful tactics are part of the relentless campaign by Israeli authorities to unilaterally prevent UNRWA from executing its UN General Assembly mandate in occupied East Jerusalem, which does not fall under Israeli sovereignty. The application of Israeli law therein is illegal.

In October 2025, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel is obliged to facilitate relief provided by UNRWA. And yet, the present actions represent the very opposite. These amendments, if implemented, will signal the end of UNRWA's decades-long operational presence in East Jerusalem."

- Roland Friedrich, Director of UNRWA Affairs in occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem

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Background Information:

UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency's area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.

UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on.

UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.

Your support is crucial to help us provide emergency aid

to displaced families in Gaza

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