UNRWA Headquarters Temporarily Closed After Arson Attack
The head of the UN Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA) has decided to temporarily close its headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem following an arson attack that occurred after weeks of protests. This move comes after a series of disturbing incidents that have put the safety of UN personnel at risk.
Arson Attack on UNRWA Headquarters
Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini reported that Israeli residents set fire twice to the perimeter of the UNRWA headquarters on Thursday evening. Despite UNRWA personnel and staff from other UN agencies being present inside the compound, it took a while for Israeli authorities to respond, prompting the staff to extinguish the fire themselves.
Violent Protests and Damage
This incident marked the second violent protest within a week, with no casualties reported among UNRWA staff. However, the fire caused extensive damage to outdoor areas, including a petrol and diesel station used to service the agency’s fleet of cars.
Security Concerns and Closure
Due to the escalating security concerns, Mr. Lazzarini made the decision to close down the compound until proper security measures are reinstated. Israeli extremists have been staging protests outside the UNRWA headquarters, leading to acts of harassment, intimidation, and vandalism against UN staff and facilities.
Call for Accountability
Mr. Lazzarini emphasized that it is the responsibility of the occupying power, Israel, to ensure the protection of UN personnel and facilities. He called for a thorough investigation into the attacks and urged accountability for those responsible, stressing the need to prevent such incidents from setting a dangerous precedent.