BRUSSELS, January 21, 2026 (WAFA) – The European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management, Haja Lahbib, condemned the Israeli occupation authorities' decision to storm and demolish the UN compound in Sheikh Jarrah, run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), in East Jerusalem.

In a statement, Lahbib said that this action violates Israel's obligations under the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, which stipulates that member states must protect and respect the inviolability of UN premises. She called on the occupation authorities to immediately cease these actions.

She added that, according to the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on October 22, 2025, Israel is obligated not to obstruct the work of UN bodies and to cooperate in good faith with them to ensure respect for the Palestinian people's right to self-determination.

Lahbib affirmed that the European Union is a strong supporter of the United Nations and the rules-based, multilateral international order, of which UNRWA is an essential part, noting that UN agencies play a pivotal role in maintaining international peace and security.

She emphasized the European Union's commitment to continuing its political and financial support for UNRWA, stressing that the agency's work contributes to maintaining conditions conducive to peace and security, and that any disruption to its operations would have serious humanitarian, political, social, and economic repercussions.

K.T