JERUSALEM, May 17, 2026 (WAFA) – The Jerusalem Governorate condemned the Israeli occupation authorities' approval of a new colonial plan to establish a museum for the occupation army, a recruitment office, and a headquarters for the "Israeli Ministry of Defense" on the ruins of the UNRWA compound in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem, considering it a dangerous escalation, a blatant violation of international law, and a flagrant breach of the immunities and privileges of United Nations organizations.
The governorate affirmed in a statement on Sunday that this attack constitutes a grave violation of all rules of international law and norms, and a clear breach of Israel's obligations, as the occupying power, under the Fourth Geneva Convention, particularly those related to the protection of public property and ensuring the unhindered operation of international humanitarian organizations, in addition to the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
It explained that this new colonial project comes after the occupation authorities demolished the UNRWA compound in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood last January, under the direct supervision of the occupation government's Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, before issuing a seizure order in favor of the so-called "Israel Land Authority," despite the fact that the compound belongs to the United Nations and enjoys legal immunity that prevents it from being subjected to any executive, administrative, judicial, or legislative procedures.
The Governorate stated that the plan, drafted by Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, allocates approximately 36 dunams of land to the Israeli Ministry of Defense without a public tender, claiming that the current recruitment office building in Jerusalem "does not meet the needs of the Israeli army." This move reflects an escalating Israeli trend to impose further colonial realities and Judaize public spaces in occupied Jerusalem.
The Governorate added that establishing a museum for what is called "Israeli Army Heritage" near the "Ammunition Hill" site represents a systematic attempt to reinforce the occupation narrative and link Palestinian historical sites to the Israeli military narrative.
It emphasized that any legislation or decisions issued by the occupation authorities have no legal effect on the legal status of UNRWA or its presence and activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, which is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory according to international law and relevant UN resolutions.
The Jerusalem Governorate called on the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, to take urgent steps to refer Israel to the International Court of Justice if it does not cancel the laws and procedures targeting UNRWA and return the assets and properties it seized, stressing that the continued international silence regarding these violations encourages the occupation authorities to continue their attacks against international institutions and the Palestinian people in occupied Jerusalem.
K.T
