In a bold move on Tuesday, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir escalated his critique of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), accusing it of 'supporting terrorism.' This came after Israeli security forces entered the UN agency’s Qalandiya training center, prompting a protest from the United Nations.
Ben Gvir shared a video on his X account from inside the facility, declaring, 'Here sat the director of the UNRWA institute, and now I am sitting in his place,' signaling his intent to halt the agency's activities at the site.
The Israeli minister asserted, 'Under my tenure, there is no UNRWA and no director; they will not return here.' He highlighted that the police, military, prison services, and other security agencies participated in the operation targeting the facility.
Ben Gvir stated that the campaign aims to remove UNRWA from the site, announcing plans to convert it into a school, while reiterating his allegations that the agency supports terrorism and should be expelled.
The minister's remarks followed an announcement by UNRWA that Israeli forces had forcefully entered the Qalandiya center accompanied by over 50 security personnel.
The UN agency condemned what it described as an 'unauthorized and deeply concerning incursion,' asserting that armed security entering a UN facility without authorization or consent is 'unacceptable.'
This incident elevates the conflict between Israel and UNRWA to a new level, expanding the dispute beyond political and legal accusations to include control over facilities used for the agency's programs.
Israel has long claimed that UNRWA is infiltrated by members affiliated with armed Palestinian factions and has used these accusations to justify escalating measures aimed at curbing UNRWA's activities.
Conversely, UNRWA rejects these broad generalizations about the institution and its staff, emphasizing the need to respect its status as a UN agency and the facilities it operates.
Following the Qalandiya incident, the agency stressed that any attempts to seize one of its facilities, interfere with its operations, or obstruct its work undermine the UN’s ability to fulfill its mandate.
UNRWA also reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding its buildings, staff, and operations and demanded respect for the privileges and immunities granted to the UN under international law.
Ben Gvir’s declarations intensify the political confrontation between the Israeli government and the UN agency, especially with his clear statement that UNRWA 'will not return' to the facility, contrasted with the agency’s insistence on its legal standing and opposition to the seizure of its premises.
The dispute over the Qalandiya center could broaden into a larger confrontation over the fate of UNRWA’s facilities and its ability to continue providing services, as Israel maintains its stance on reducing the agency’s presence, while the UN insists that the protection of its facilities and respect for their immunity are crucial to executing its mission.