Israel's seizure of Unrwa training college in East Jerusalem condemned

Israeli security forces have seized and shut down the Qalandia Training Centre, a vocational college operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa), marking the closure of its final operational facility in occupied East Jerusalem. During Tuesday's raid, Israeli forces deployed tear gas in the Qalandia refugee camp.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the incursion into the Qalandia Training Centre, viewing it as the latest action threatening Unrwa following Israel's enactment of laws against the agency. His spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, emphasized that international law dictates all UN premises are "inviolable and immune from any form of interference."

Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's far-right National Security Minister, participated in the extensive raid on Tuesday and released a video showing himself seated in the director's chair of the Unrwa institute. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he had ordered the evacuation of the Unrwa compound, accusing the agency of involvement in the deadly Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, an accusation Unrwa vehemently denies.

Established in 1952, the Qalandia Training Centre annually provided vocational skills training, including carpentry, car mechanics, and plumbing, to approximately 340 Palestinians. Although located in East Jerusalem, its position between Qalandia and Kfar Aqab, behind Israel's separation barrier, made it accessible to young people from refugee camps across the West Bank.

College staff have been expelled, and Israeli authorities report that equipment is being removed from the site, with plans to convert part of it into a school. Unrwa currently provides education, healthcare, and other services to over 900,000 registered refugees in the West Bank.

In a statement, Unrwa "unequivocally condemns this unauthorised and deeply concerning incursion into the Qalandia Training Centre," adding that "the entry of armed security forces into a United Nations facility, without the authorisation or consent of the United Nations, is unacceptable."

Israeli legislation, which took effect last year, prohibited Unrwa from conducting missions or operating within what Israel considers its territory, including East Jerusalem. Israel captured East Jerusalem from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East War and subsequently annexed it, a move largely unrecognized internationally. The legislation also banned all Israeli state authorities from having contact with Unrwa. Last year, closure orders were issued for six Unrwa schools in East Jerusalem, halting in-person teaching for about 800 Palestinian children.

Following the raid on Qalandia Training College, the UN spokesperson stated that "the secretary general is greatly alarmed at this development, as it will deprive young people of the vocational education they were receiving."

Israel's security minister deliberately publicized the action, bringing a TV crew from pro-government Channel 14 to cover the raid. In his video from the college, Ben-Gvir declared, "Thank God, on my shift there is no Unrwa, there is no management, they will not be here."

Actions against Unrwa are widely supported in Israel, and the prime minister issued a statement highlighting his responsibility. Netanyahu said, "In accordance with my instructions and in furtherance of the law we passed, the evacuation of the Unrwa compound in Kafr Aqab, Jerusalem, began today." He added, "The State of Israel will not allow an organisation whose employees were involved in terrorism and the October 7 massacre to operate on its territory and will use all means necessary to act against it."

Israeli intelligence claimed that at least 19 Unrwa employees participated in the October 7 cross-border attack on southern Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 hostages. A UN investigation found evidence indicating possible involvement in nine cases, leading to the termination of those employees' contracts, but found insufficient or no evidence to support claims in other cases. Israel further alleged that 10 percent of Unrwa's Gaza employees had active links to Palestinian armed groups and that Unrwa facilities were used for Hamas military purposes. Unrwa states it has never received information or evidence from Israeli authorities regarding the former allegation and has consistently condemned any violations of UN premises that compromise their neutrality.

The Palestinian Authority's Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the international community to "take immediate and effective measures" to protect the college, "ensure the return of its personnel and prevent Israel from turning this assault into a permanent fait accompli."

Unrwa was initially established to support Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their land during the conflicts preceding and following the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. Many Palestinians interpret Israeli actions against the agency as an attempt to dismiss the issue of Palestinian refugees and their "right to return" to their historic homes and property, a central point of contention in the Israel-Palestinian conflict.