rish Foreign Minister Helen McEntee on Friday called on Israel to immediately stop all actions targeting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, following the demolition of the agency’s headquarters compound in occupied East Jerusalem.
In a statement, McEntee said Ireland fully supports UNRWA and its mandate, stressing that Israel must respect international law, including the privileges and immunities afforded to the United Nations and its staff.
Her remarks came after Israeli forces entered the UNRWA compound in the Sheikh Jarrah area of East Jerusalem on January 20 and demolished the site using bulldozers and heavy machinery.
McEntee said she was appalled by what she described as further destructive actions taken by Israeli authorities against UNRWA premises, warning that the demolition was not an isolated incident. Instead, she said, it formed part of a broader and sustained effort to undermine and dismantle the agency’s operations across the occupied Palestinian territory.
She emphasized that any actions obstructing the work of UNRWA and other United Nations agencies risk deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis and placing civilian lives in greater danger. UNRWA, she said, plays an indispensable role in providing essential services to Palestinian refugees.
The Irish foreign minister also highlighted the legal protections afforded to humanitarian workers under international law, noting that aid workers, journalists and medical personnel must be safeguarded during conflict.
“It is unacceptable that those trying to help others continue to be killed while carrying out their vital roles,” McEntee said, reiterating Ireland’s call for the protection of humanitarian operations and respect for international legal obligations.
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