Kathmandu— The acting Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Christian Saunders, has condemned an Israeli seizure of its training center in East Jerusalem, asserting that the raid is part of a broader effort to undermine the agency and diminish the rights of Palestinian refugees. The Qalandiya Training Centre was raided by Israeli forces on Tuesday, resulting in the expulsion of UNRWA employees and injuries to five Palestinians according to reports from the Jerusalem governorate. Saunders stated that despite such actions, UNRWA remains committed to its mission and will not be deterred, while also acknowledging the need for collective action from member states to prevent further incursions.

Center Seizure Disrupts Education

The takeover of the Qalandiya Training Centre deprives approximately 340 young Palestinians of vital educational opportunities. Saunders emphasized that these students, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, will miss out on training needed to secure a dignified livelihood. The center serves around 16,000 refugees from Qalandiya refugee camp and other areas of the occupied West Bank, making its closure a significant blow to the provision of essential services.

Israeli Justification and UNRWA Response

Israeli authorities claim the property is owned by the Jewish National Fund and has been allocated to the Jerusalem Municipality for development into an educational and community complex. They also cite legislation passed in October 2024 restricting UNRWA’s activities. However, UNRWA rejects these claims, maintaining that the center is a protected United Nations facility under international law. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the evacuation as lawful.

Wider Campaign to Eliminate Refugee Rights

Saunders believes the raid is part of a wider campaign aimed at defunding and ultimately eliminating UNRWA, with the goal of erasing Palestinian refugee rights. “If UNRWA is defunded and UNRWA is eliminated then they are hoping that the issue of the refugees…will go away,” he said, referring to the right of return, reparations, and compensation. He highlighted that UNRWA’s mandate comes directly from the United Nations General Assembly and focuses on providing humanitarian services while a political solution remains elusive.

Limits of UN Authority

Saunders acknowledged the limitations of the United Nations in preventing further incursions without unified support from its member states. He stated that the UN lacks the power to unilaterally halt such actions, emphasizing that it is reliant on the collective determination of its members to address the issue – a determination he says has been lacking for over seven decades.

UNRWA continues to operate despite the challenges and maintains its commitment to providing critical services until directed otherwise by the United Nations General Assembly or a lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is achieved.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.