January 21, 2026 | 04:37 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia strongly condemns the destruction of Palestinian refugees' agency (UNRWA) facilities by Israel in East Jerusalem on Tuesday.
Indonesia stresses that the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on October 22, 2025, once again emphasized Israel's obligation to support the presence of the UN in the Palestinian territory it occupies, including UNRWA.
"This act constitutes a serious violation of UNRWA’s privileges and immunities," the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Wednesday, January 21, as quoted by Antara.
Indonesia demands that Israel respect the privileges and immunities of the UN under international law, especially with the role of UNRWA as an indispensable humanitarian institution for the Palestinian people.
Indonesia emphasizes that the application of national rules and legislation that prevent or hinder the work of UNRWA in delivering humanitarian aid in the occupied Palestinian territory is contrary to Israel's international obligations.
Such actions also constitute a violation of the UN Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN, added the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia.
"Indonesia calls on Israel to respect international humanitarian law and international law, including by ensuring the protection of UN facilities and personnel," the statement read.
The destruction of UNRWA facilities in East Jerusalem was carried out by Israeli military personnel led by senior national security figurehead Itamar Ben-Gvir on Tuesday.
This move is the latest form of intimidation by Israel against the UN body, after the Israeli legislative body, Knesset, last month passed regulations to cut off electricity and water supply to UNRWA facilities in East Jerusalem.
Israel in 2024 also enacted regulations prohibiting the activities of the agency in Israel after accusing UNRWA staff of involvement in the October 7, 2023 attack.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned Israel's escalation against UNRWA as "wholly unacceptable" and "inconsistent with Israel’s clear obligations under international law," said the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Farhan Haq.
In a similar vein, the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, described Israel's actions against its facilities as "a new level of open and deliberate defiance of international law, including of the privileges and immunities of the UN."
Read: Israel Demolishes Structures Inside UNRWA Compound
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