Expert comment: Demolition of UNRWA HQ in East Jerusalem
20 January 2026
Professor Rosa Freedman comments after the demolition of the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
For interviews, contact the University of Press Office on 0118 378 5757 or pressoffice@reading.ac.uk.
Professor Rosa Freedman, Professor of Law Conflict and Global Development, said: "Israel's bulldozing of the headquarters of UNRWA in East Jerusalem shows that the gulf between both sides continues to widen.
"While the UNRWA offices were empty, following previous Israeli government actions to close them down, today's actions are more than just symbolic. This is a step towards the Israeli government's stated aims of closing down the agency altogether, which it has long accused of being a brand of the Palestinian national cause and of perpetuating the conflict.
"While the political aims of Israel's government might be clear, its humanitarian aims are not. There is yet to be any clear plan for how key services, including education, healthcare and food aid, will be provided to Palestinian people living under Israeli control, who previously relied on services provided by UNRWA.
"Israel's latest move follows President Trump's announcement of deep US cuts to funding for humanitarian aid to UN agencies, and other international donors cutting the level of funding to UNRWA.
"Israeli officials entered UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem today (20 January), using heavy machinery to destroy the compound. This follows on from 2024 Israeli legislation banning UNRWA from Israel, and an amendment to that legislation last month authorising the cutting of electricity, water and other services to UNRWA.
"On one side, Israel insists that UNRWA is discredited by its various links to terrorists, and that it has the right to ban the UN agency. On the other side, UNRWA insists that Israel's legislation and practices violate the protection and immunity afforded to UN entities.
"Today's actions have changed the facts on the ground, physically by destroying the already empty headquarters, and more significantly by further polarising the positions of both sides."
For interviews, contact the University of Press Office on 0118 378 5757 or pressoffice@reading.ac.uk.
Professor Rosa Freedman, Professor of Law Conflict and Global Development, said: "Israel's bulldozing of the headquarters of UNRWA in East Jerusalem shows that the gulf between both sides continues to widen.
"While the UNRWA offices were empty, following previous Israeli government actions to close them down, today's actions are more than just symbolic. This is a step towards the Israeli government's stated aims of closing down the agency altogether, which it has long accused of being a brand of the Palestinian national cause and of perpetuating the conflict.
"While the political aims of Israel's government might be clear, its humanitarian aims are not. There is yet to be any clear plan for how key services, including education, healthcare and food aid, will be provided to Palestinian people living under Israeli control, who previously relied on services provided by UNRWA.
"Israel's latest move follows President Trump's announcement of deep US cuts to funding for humanitarian aid to UN agencies, and other international donors cutting the level of funding to UNRWA.
"Israeli officials entered UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem today (20 January), using heavy machinery to destroy the compound. This follows on from 2024 Israeli legislation banning UNRWA from Israel, and an amendment to that legislation last month authorising the cutting of electricity, water and other services to UNRWA.
"On one side, Israel insists that UNRWA is discredited by its various links to terrorists, and that it has the right to ban the UN agency. On the other side, UNRWA insists that Israel's legislation and practices violate the protection and immunity afforded to UN entities.
"Today's actions have changed the facts on the ground, physically by destroying the already empty headquarters, and more significantly by further polarising the positions of both sides."
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