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Türkiye's Foreign Ministry issued a strong condemnation Monday after Israeli security forces raided the United Nations Relief and Works Agency headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem and seized control of the building, calling the action a clear violation of international law.
The ministry statement criticized Israel's raid on the UNRWA facility, emphasizing that such actions against a UN building with diplomatic immunity constitute an "open violation of international law." The Turkish government called on the international community to implement deterrent measures against Israel and provide support to the beleaguered refugee agency.
"We condemn Israel's raid on the UNRWA building located in occupied East Jerusalem and its seizure of the building," the Foreign Ministry stated.
The ministry's statement referenced an International Court of Justice advisory opinion issued October 22, 2025, which explicitly established Israel's obligation as an occupying power not to obstruct UNRWA operations but rather to facilitate the agency's activities.
The Turkish statement emphasized that UNRWA's continued operations remain vital for permanent peace efforts, describing the services the agency provides to Palestinian refugees as irreplaceable. The organization also plays a fundamental role in preserving Palestinians' right of return to their lands, according to the ministry.
UNRWA has served as the primary humanitarian organization providing food, health care, education and shelter to Palestinian refugees since it began operations in 1950. Financed through voluntary contributions from UN member states, the agency currently supports approximately 6 million Palestinian refugees across its areas of operation.
Over its 75-year history, Israeli forces have repeatedly struck UNRWA facilities, destroying tons of food and medical supplies. The agency employs some 12,000 staff members in Gaza alone.
Israel launched what the Turkish statement characterized as a smear campaign against UNRWA coinciding with its October 2023 military operations in the Gaza Strip. Israeli authorities have argued the agency should be shut down, claiming that 14 UNRWA employees participated in the October 7 attacks that preceded the Gaza conflict.
Tel Aviv's decision to terminate UNRWA operations in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem took effect Feb. 1, marking a significant escalation in the Israeli government's confrontation with the UN agency.
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