Israeli settlers set fire near the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem this Thursday evening, after "Israeli extremists" attempted to burn it down earlier in the day. UNRWA's Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, stated that Israel "bears responsibility for the burning of our headquarters in East Jerusalem and must hold those responsible accountable," emphasizing that "the fire ignited in the vicinity of our headquarters is a shameful development."
On Wednesday, the Israeli far-right organized protests outside the UNRWA office in East Jerusalem. Lazzarini remarked that "this protest, called by an elected member of the Jerusalem municipality, is nothing less than harassment, intimidation, vandalism, and destruction of UN property." He added, "This occurred at the UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem under the watch of the Israeli police, and it has nothing to do with freedom of expression."
