Ammon News -

The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, has rejected Israeli claims regarding ownership of UNRWA’s Sheikh Jarrah compound in occupied East Jerusalem, describing them as "false and illegal."

In a post on X, Lazzarini said the Israeli government does not own or have rights to the property that houses UNRWA's Sheikh Jarrah compound in East Jerusalem, stressing that there has never been a transfer of property.

He explained that UNRWA has leased the land from the Government of Jordan since 1952, adding that it is now being seized in blatant breach of international law.

"The International Court of Justice and UN General Assembly have determined that Israel's presence in East Jerusalem is illegal and must end as rapidly as possible," Lazzarini wrote.

In addition, he emphasized that Israel has no sovereign rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the application of its laws there is unlawful.

 

Contrary to reports in the media, the Israeli Government does not own or have rights to the property that houses @UNRWA's Sheikh Jarrah compound in East Jerusalem.

The Israeli Government's claims are false & illegal. There has never been a transfer of property.

UNRWA has…

— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) January 21, 2026