World News
Israeli forces raid UNRWA training centre in East Jerusalem and announce land transfer
Israeli authorities expelled staff from the Qalandiya Training Centre, claiming plans to hand the property to the Jerusalem municipality.
The short version
- Israeli military and police forces raided UNRWA's Qalandiya Training Centre in East Jerusalem, expelling roughly 40 staff members.
- The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated the land will be transferred to the Jerusalem municipality for an educational complex, while UNRWA asserts the facility is protected by UN immunity and international law.
- The 70-year-old vocational college serves about 340 Palestinian refugees annually, with registration for the upcoming academic year currently disrupted.
Key facts
- Israeli military and police personnel, accompanied by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, raided UNRWA's Qalandiya Training Centre and expelled about 40 staff members.[Al Jazeera]
- The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the property will be handed over to the Jerusalem municipality to be turned into an educational complex.[Al Jazeera]
- UNRWA confirmed facility damage during the raid, noted six raids at the site this year, and stated the premises are protected by UN privileges and immunities under international law.[Al Jazeera]
- The Qalandiya Training Centre was established in 1952 and offers two-year vocational diplomas in 16 specialisations to approximately 340 Palestinian refugees each year.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- The exact date for when or if the Qalandiya Training Centre will be permitted to reopen for the upcoming school year remains unknown.[Al Jazeera]
- Legal ownership and jurisdiction of the property are disputed, with Israeli authorities alleging the land belongs to the Jewish National Fund, while UNRWA notes it leased the land from Jordan in 1952 and argues Israel lacks sovereign jurisdiction over occupied East Jerusalem.[Al Jazeera]