Jordan condemns attack on UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem

By Laith Al-jnaidi and Esat Fırat

AMMAN (AA) – Jordan on Thursday condemned a protest by Jewish extremists outside the headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in occupied East Jerusalem.

“We condemn the Israeli extremists' setting fire to the surroundings of the UNRWA headquarters in occupied Jerusalem,” the Jordanian Foreign Ministry said in a written statement.

The statement warned that repeated attacks on UNRWA headquarters are a clear violation of international law and humanitarian law and a clear defiance of the law stipulating that UN employees and aid personnel must be protected.

The statement emphasized UNRWA's vital role in providing aid to Palestinians, especially in Gaza, and called for an end to Israel's ongoing breaches of international law, urging protection for aid workers.

It also stressed that the forced closure of UNRWA's headquarters in Jerusalem under pressure and attacks by Israeli extremists is a dangerous reflection of Israel's systematic targeting of UNRWA, which provides humanitarian services to Palestinians.

Israeli extremists protested outside the UNRWA headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem on May 7 following a call from Jerusalem's Deputy Mayor Aryeh Yitzhak King.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini responded to the protest held in front of the UNRWA headquarters on X.

In footage released by Lazzarini on the protest, Israeli protesters are seen banging on the door of the UNRWA headquarters and attempting to hang banners.

"This protest called by an elected member of the Jerusalem municipality is nothing less than harassment, intimidation, vandalism & damage to UN property," Lazzarini said.