LONDON, January 28, 2026 (WAFA) –The Foreign Ministers of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom strongly condemned the demolitions by the Israeli authorities of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) headquarters in East Jerusalem, on 20 January 2026.
In a joint statement, this unprecedented act against a United Nations agency by a UN Member State marks the latest unacceptable move to undermine their ability to operate.
They urged the government of Israel to abide by its international obligations to ensure the protection and inviolability of United Nations premises in accordance with the provisions of the UN General Convention of 1946 and the Charter, calling upon the government of Israel, a member of the United Nations, to halt all demolitions.
They reiterated their full support for UNRWA’s indispensable mission to provide essential services and humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem.
“We welcome UNRWA’s commitment to reform and implementation of the recommendations of the Colonna Report, UNRWA is a service provider delivering healthcare and education to millions of Palestinians across the region, particularly in Gaza, and must be able to operate without restrictions.
They also reiterated their deep concern regarding the application by the Government of Israel of legislation, adopted by the Knesset in October 2024 and strengthened in December 2025, forbidding any contact between Israeli state entities and officials and UNRWA, prohibiting and de facto preventing any UNRWA presence within Israel and in Jerusalem including the supply of electricity, water and gas to properties registered under UNRWA.
They urged Israel to ensure that international NGOs can operate in Gaza, including by lifting restrictive registration requirements, guarantee the reopening of all crossing points, including the announced plans to re-open the Rafah crossing in both directions, and lift persistent restrictions on humanitarian goods’ imports, including items considered to have a “dual use” that are essential to humanitarian and early recovery operations.
A.D./ K.F.
