Guterres Condemns Israeli Authorities’ Entry into UNRWA Kalandia Training Centre

RRI.CO.ID, New York - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has strongly condemned actions by Israeli authorities, including security forces, who entered and remained at the UNRWA Kalandia Training Centre in occupied East Jerusalem and carried out unauthorized works at the premises.

The statement was delivered by UN Secretary-General Spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric in New York on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. UNRWA staff members were still present at the centre when Israeli authorities entered the facility without authorization.

“The Secretary-General condemns in the strongest terms today’s actions by the Israeli authorities, including security forces, to unlawfully enter and remain on the UNRWA Kalandia Training Centre in occupied East Jerusalem and carry out unauthorized works in those premises,” he said.

Guterres said the incident was deeply concerning because it could directly affect young people who have been receiving vocational education at the centre. For more than 70 years, the Kalandia Training Centre has supported thousands of Palestine refugees by providing vocational education and pathways to employment.

“The Secretary-General is greatly alarmed at this development, as it will deprive young people of the vocational education they were receiving,” Dujarric said.

According to the United Nations, Tuesday’s incident marked the fifth unauthorized entry by Israeli authorities into the Kalandia Training Centre since May 2026. The UN also highlighted other incidents involving UNRWA facilities in occupied East Jerusalem, including the seizure and demolition of the Sheikh Jarrah compound, as well as the cutting off of water and electricity supplies to several UNRWA facilities.

The Secretary-General stressed that the Kalandia Training Centre and other UNRWA facilities are United Nations premises and are protected under international law. “The Kalandia Training Centre and other UNRWA premises are premises of the United Nations. They are inviolable and immune from any form of interference,” he said.

Guterres said actions against UNRWA facilities are unacceptable and inconsistent with Israel’s obligations under international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.

He also referred to the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion of October 22, 2025, which stated that Israel must respect the inviolability of United Nations premises in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and must not interfere with the performance of their functions.

The Secretary-General also expressed concern over Israeli domestic legislation that, according to the UN, significantly restricts UNRWA’s ability to carry out the mandate given to it by the UN General Assembly in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Guterres once again called for the legislation to be repealed.

To address the situation, the Secretary-General urged the Government of Israel to immediately stop interfering with UNRWA premises, leave and return all affected facilities to the United Nations, restore them without delay, and protect them from further interference or damage.

The UN stressed that the Kalandia Training Centre is not merely a building, but an important educational facility that has helped generations of Palestine refugees gain vocational skills and improve their access to employment.