Eleven nations condemn Israels demolition of UNRWA facilities in the Middle East

Eleven countries issue joint statement condemning Israel’s demolition of UN agency’s East Jerusalem headquarters.

A group of eleven foreign ministers has issued a joint statement expressing their condemnation of Israel’s destruction of the East Jerusalem headquarters of the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). The demolition, which took place last week, was described as an “unprecedented act” against a UN agency.

The countries involved in the statement are Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom. They called upon the Israeli government to halt all demolitions of UNRWA facilities.

UNRWA provides aid and services to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East, including in Gaza Strip, where Israel has been carrying out a military campaign against Palestinians. The agency has faced restrictions on its operations, which have been imposed by the Israeli government and its allies, including the United States.

In December 2024, Israel’s parliament passed legislation barring UNRWA from operating in areas under Israeli control. In January of last year, amendments were approved to strengthen that prohibition.

UNRWA reported that Israeli forces stormed its East Jerusalem headquarters and began demolishing buildings. The agency’s chief, Philippe Lazzarini, stated that the demolition constitutes an attack against a United Nations agency and its premises.

The International Court of Justice had previously ruled in October 2025 that Israel has an obligation under international law to lift restrictions on UNRWA’s operations and facilitate its work.

In their statement, the foreign ministers reiterated their support for UNRWA’s mission to provide services and humanitarian aid in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. They also called upon Israel to facilitate aid deliveries to Gaza, where at least 71,660 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 2023.

The statement was issued on Wednesday by the foreign ministers of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Source: Al Jazeera