UN chief condemns Israel's unauthorized entry into UN compound in East Jerusalem

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday condemned Israel's unauthorized entry earlier in the day into the UN Sheikh Jarrah compound held by the UN relief agency for Palestinians located in occupied East Jerusalem.



Guterres said in a statement that the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)'s compound "remains United Nations premises and is inviolable and immune from any other form of interference."



As recently confirmed by the International Court of Justice, any executive, administrative, judicial or legislative action against UN property and assets is prohibited under the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, the UN chief said.



Guterres urged Israel to immediately take all necessary steps to restore, preserve and uphold the inviolability of UNRWA premises and to refrain from taking any further action with regard to UNRWA premises, in line with its obligations under the UN Charter and its other obligations under international law.