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In response to the destruction of the UNRWA buildings in Sheikh Jarrah

22/01/2026

From the Spanish Commission for Justice and Peace we express our deepest condemnation of the demolition by the Israeli army of the UNRWA complex in Sheikh Jarrah (East Jerusalem) as openly contradicting the Charter of the United Nations and violating the immunity of its facilities protected by the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, as stated by the UN Secretary-General in his Declaration of the 20th January 2026.

We also convey to Raquel Martí, director of UNWRA Spain, and her entire team our strongest support and solidarity. Justice and Peace of Spain had the opportunity to count on her participation in an open webinar to learn first-hand about the situation of the Israeli army's attack on Gaza and the suffering of the Gaza people. At this event, Raquel Martí described a scenario of destruction in the Strip and the ongoing violation of the rights of its inhabitants. Unfortunately, this scenario has been surpassed by reality.

Justice and Peace of Spain, both on its own behalf and through the various networks and platforms in which it participates, has unequivocally expressed its solidarity with both the Palestinian people and the work that UNRWA has done and continues to do to care for and support Palestinian refugees in the various territories and camps.

For all these reasons, Justice and Peace of Spain cannot fail to express at this time its renewed solidarity and recognition of all the work being done, as well as its condemnation of the demolition of several buildings at the UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem, which is a clear and serious violation of international law - yet another by the Israeli government - and of the privileges and immunities of the United Nations and its agencies.

We believe that this is a moment on the world stage when we cannot look the other way, aware, as UNRWA states, that 'what is happening to UNRWA today could happen to any other international or diplomatic mission anywhere in the world'.

As an organisation rooted in the defence and promotion of human rights and the social doctrine of the Church, we call on the European Union and its Member States to demand, clearly and unequivocally, that the Israeli Government rebuild what has been destroyed and take action against it, using the legal measures and pressure in international relations and recognition that countries have equipped themselves with in multilateral policies of respect and coexistence.

Justice and Peace of Spain