{"id":22755,"date":"2024-05-13T09:14:41","date_gmt":"2024-05-13T06:14:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=22755"},"modified":"2024-05-13T09:14:43","modified_gmt":"2024-05-13T06:14:43","slug":"un-agency-shuts-operations-in-jerusalem-after-arson-attack-by-israeli-extremists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/un-agency-shuts-operations-in-jerusalem-after-arson-attack-by-israeli-extremists\/","title":{"rendered":"UN agency shuts operations in Jerusalem after arson attack by \u2018Israeli extremists\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), responsible for delivering aid to Palestinian refugees, has temporarily shut down its headquarters in East Jerusalem following a string of hostile acts, including a recent arson incident, and weeks of protest.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, announced the closure, stating that the headquarters would remain closed until adequate security measures are implemented to protect staff and facilities. Lazzarini said \u201cIsraeli residents set fire twice to the perimeter\u201d when UNRWA personnel and staff from other UN agencies were inside the compound at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOver the past two months, Israeli extremists have been staging protests outside the UNRWA compound in Jerusalem, called by an elected member of the Jerusalem municipality. This week, the protest became violent when demonstrators threw stones at UN staff and at the buildings of the compound,\u201d Lazzarini said on Twitter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


\u2018Outrageous development\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is an outrageous development,\u201d he said. \u201cOnce again, the lives of UN staff were at serious risk.\u201d Philippe\u00a0Lazzarini added that a crowd accompanied by armed men were witnessed outside the compound chanting \u201cBurn down the United Nations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He continued that the staff and volunteers working at the Jerusalem office have been subjected to harassment and intimidation by the Israeli extremists. \u201cOur compound has been seriously vandalized and damaged. On several occasions, Israeli extremists threatened our staff with guns,\u201d he added. Lazzarini emphasized the grave risk these attacks pose to UN personnel and criticized the insufficient protective measures provided by the Israeli administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This evening, Israeli residents set fire twice to the perimeter of the UNRWA Headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem.

This took place while UNRWA and other UN Agencies\u2019 staff were on the compound.
While there were no casualties among our staff, the fire caused extensive damage\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/ZqHFDNkiWC<\/a><\/p>— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) May 9, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>