Amman, Aug. 28 (Petra)– The European Union and Belgium, Brazil,
Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the
Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom have
expressed their support for the United Nations Relief and Works
Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

In a joint statement issued Friday, the countries, which are members
of UNRWA’s Advisory Commission, strongly condemned the illegal entry
into the agency’s training center in Qalandia and the seizure of its
facilities in occupied East Jerusalem on August 25, according to
Italy’s AKI news agency.

“We, members of the UNRWA Advisory Commission, strongly condemn the
illegal entry into the agency’s training center in Qalandia and the
seizure of its facilities in East Jerusalem on the 25th of this
month,” the statement said.

The signatories called on Israel to fulfill its obligations and
immediately cease all forms of interference with UNRWA’s activities
and operations.

The statement stressed that the Convention on the Privileges and
Immunities of the United Nations protects UN premises under
international law and must be respected.

The signatories and the European Union also urged the Israeli
authorities to “immediately and fully comply with their obligations
under the United Nations” to enable UNRWA to carry out its mandated
activities without interference.

//Petra// MF