11 Nations Condemn Israel’s Destruction of UNRWA Headquarters in East Jerusalem
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, foreign ministers from nine European nations, Canada, and Japan have strongly condemned Israel‘s destruction of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) headquarters in East Jerusalem. The demolition occurred on January 20, 2025, when Israeli forces razed several UNRWA buildings in the occupied city.
The joint statement demands Israel immediately halt such demolitions and reaffirms the signatories’ full support for UNRWA’s mission. The ministers expressed particular concern about legislation passed by Israel’s Knesset that prohibits any cooperation with UNRWA, warning it threatens vital humanitarian services for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who visited the demolition site, described the closure and destruction of UNRWA offices as “historic day for Jerusalem’s sovereignty,” claiming the agency supported terrorism. The international coalition’s statement counters this narrative, emphasizing UNRWA’s critical role in providing aid and calling for guaranteed NGO access through reopened crossings to deliver essential services.
