Amman, July 27 (Petra) – The United Nations Relief and Works Agency
for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on Monday condemned the second Israeli
raid in less than a month on its Qalandiya Training Centre in
occupied East Jerusalem, carried out by an employee of the
Israeli-controlled Jerusalem municipality.

Roland Friedrich, Director of UNRWA Affairs in the occupied West
Bank, said around 80 students and 45 staff members were present
during the raid.

He added that Israeli forces confined them inside the facility,
preventing them from leaving and did not provide documents or
refreshments for the children.

Friedrich said that the Qalandiya Training Centre is an independent
UNRWA facility operating under the privileges and immunities granted
to UN entities under international law.

Established more than seven decades ago, the centre is the agency’s
oldest specialised vocational training facility and has graduated
thousands of Palestinian refugees who have contributed to local and
regional institutions.

He warned that ongoing attempts to close the centre would deprive
Palestine refugees of essential vocational education services and
undermine UNRWA’s ability to fulfill its mandate.

Friedrich said any measures obstructing UNRWA operations in the
occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, violate the
privileges and immunities granted to the United Nations and its
personnel under international law.

//Petra// AK