{"id":2544914,"date":"2026-01-20T10:54:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T15:54:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/israel-demolishes-unrwa-building-in-jerusalem\/"},"modified":"2026-01-20T10:55:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T15:55:45","slug":"israel-demolishes-unrwa-building-in-jerusalem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/israel-demolishes-unrwa-building-in-jerusalem\/","title":{"rendered":"Israel demolishes UNRWA building in Jerusalem"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">12<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fisrael-demolishes-unrwa-building-in-jerusalem%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2544914&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Israeli forces entered East Jerusalem early Tuesday, using bulldozers to demolish the United nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) headquarters and sieze devices, saying the move was driven by meaningful national-security and terrorism concerns. The action, overseen by Israeli lawmakers and officials, followed an earlier confiscation of agency equipment and the closure of a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >nearby health center<\/a> on Jan.14. Israel has long accused UNRWA of being infiltrated by Hamas and alleges some agency employees were involved in the Oct. 7 attacks; UNRWA has acknowledged evidence pointing to at least nine staff implicated. In december, the Knesset passed legislation effectively banning UNRWA operations on Israeli soil, and proponents argue the agency has become a tool for militants. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini denounced the demolitions as a intentional breach of international law and warned Israel plans to cut water and power to remaining agency facilities, calling the moves part of an effort to erase Palestinian refugees&#8217; identity.The U.N. and the International Court of Justice have said Israel is obliged to respect the inviolability of U.N. premises and to facilitate the agencyS operations; Israel maintains UNRWA must be replaced by alternative humanitarian organizations.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Israel tears down UNRWA&rsquo;s Jerusalem headquarters and confiscates devices over &lsquo;terror&rsquo; concerns<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2478649\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/israel\/\">Israeli<\/a> forces moved into East Jerusalem early Tuesday with bulldozers to demolish the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/united-nations\/\">United Nations<\/a> Relief and Works Agency headquarters, citing significant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/we-got-it-newsmax-reporter-emerald-robinson-national-security-source-confirms-a-piece-of-hardware-has-been-secured-in-germany\/\" title=\"We Got It! - Newsmax Reporter Emerald Robinson: National Security Source Confirms &quot;A Piece of Hardware Has Been Secured&quot; in Germany\">national security<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hamas\/\">terrorism<\/a> concerns regarding the agency&rsquo;s operation in the area.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The operation, conducted under the supervision of Israeli lawmakers and government officials, follows the recent confiscation of agency devices and the forced closure of a nearby health center <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/UNLazzarini\/status\/2011395544426430907?s=20\">on Jan. 14<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/4425167\/newsom-rants-european-leaders-rolling-over-trump-handing-out-crowns\/\">Newsom rants about European leaders &#8216;rolling over&#8217; on Trump: &#8216;Handing out crowns&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4425162\/johnson-stresses-friendship-with-uk-address-parliament\/\">Johnson stresses friendship with UK in address to Parliament as Trump lambastes Starmer&#8217;s Chagos Island deal<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4425140\/watch-live-macron-delivers-speech-davos-after-telling-trump-he-does-not-understand-greenland-plan\/\">WATCH LIVE: Macron delivers speech in Davos after telling Trump he does &#8216;not understand&#8217; Greenland plan<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA commissioner general, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/UNLazzarini\/status\/2013546502388342823?s=20\">released a statement on X<\/a>, saying the actions by Israel are &ldquo;a new level of open and deliberate defiance of international law.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The demolition is the culmination of years of mounting tension between Israel and the U.N. body. Israeli officials have repeatedly accused the UNRWA of being infiltrated by Hamas agents and employing people with allegiance to the terrorist group.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Israel has alleged that several agency employees <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/unrwa-investigation-statement-05aug24\/\">had a direct hand in the Oct. 7 massacre<\/a>, an accusation that has fueled the government&rsquo;s push to disassemble the organization from operating in the region.&nbsp;The UNRWA has admitted that the evidence points to at least nine of its employees having &ldquo;been involved in the&nbsp;attacks of&nbsp;7 October.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In December, the Knesset passed sweeping legislation that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/utah-axes-gun-permit-requirement\/\" title=\"Utah Axes Gun-Permit Requirement\u00a0\">effectively banned<\/a> the agency from operating on Israeli soil, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/3184402\/israel-pushes-ban-unrwa-operating-inside-borders\/\">building on a series of anti-UNRWA laws<\/a> first adopted in 2024.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Proponents of the move argue that the agency has become a tool for Palestinian militants and that its presence in Jerusalem is a violation of Israeli sovereignty.<\/p>\n<p>Lazzarini said the actions by the Israeli government are a direct result of the legislation passed by the Knesset in December.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Lazzarini warned in the statement that the Israeli government also plans to cut water and power supplies to the agency&rsquo;s remaining education and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-rescinds-trumps-apprenticeship-plan-by-executive-order\/\" title=\"Biden Rescinds Trump\u2019s Apprenticeship Plan By Executive Order\">health facilities<\/a> in the coming weeks and said, &ldquo;This must be a wake-up call.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The U.N. has maintained that as a member state, Israel is legally obligated to respect the inviolability of U.N. premises.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Lazzarini further characterized the demolition as part of a broader effort to erase the identity of Palestinian refugees, many of whom rely on the agency for essential services.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4425105\/von-der-leyen-unflinching-response-trump-tariff-stressing-european-independence\/\"><strong>VON DER LEYEN PLEDGES &lsquo;UNFLINCHING&rsquo; RESPONSE TO NEW TRUMP TARIFFS WHILE EMBRACING &lsquo;EUROPEAN INDEPENDENCE&rsquo;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.icj-cij.org\/case\/196\">International Court of Justice<\/a> issued a ruling in October ordering Israel to facilitate the agency&rsquo;s operations, a mandate U.N. officials say is being openly disregarded.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Despite international pressure, the Israeli government remains steadfast that the UNRWA poses a direct threat to national security and must be replaced by alternative humanitarian organizations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Israel razes UNRWA Jerusalem HQ, seizes devices<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2544915,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26020444656174.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[4671,5478,42743],"class_list":["post-2544914","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-israel","tag-jerusalem","tag-unrwa"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/AP26020444656174.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2544914","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2544914"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2544914\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2544918,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2544914\/revisions\/2544918"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2544915"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2544914"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2544914"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2544914"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}