Israel approves security facility on UNRWA land in Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed on Sunday that the government has greenlit the construction of a facility belonging to the Ministry of Defense on land leased to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah district of Jerusalem. The new compound, according to Katz, will house a ministerial office, an army museum, and a military recruitment branch.

The Israeli government stated that the “Israel Land Council” will allocate the approximately 36-dunam plot directly to the Defense Ministry without a public tender process. The project entails establishing an official headquarters for the defense minister to oversee operations from Jerusalem, alongside a museum showcasing what the Defense Ministry describes as “the heritage of the Israeli army,” complete with spaces for educational activities. Additionally, the military recruitment office currently operating in Jerusalem will be relocated to the site, with officials claiming the existing building “no longer meets operational requirements.”

Legal and diplomatic backlash

The decision triggered swift condemnation from Palestinian authorities and international bodies. The office of the Jerusalem governor, along with human rights organizations and local activists, labeled the move a “dangerous escalation” and a “blatant violation of international law.” They emphasized that the land has been officially leased to UNRWA since 1952, arguing that converting it into a military installation breaches the immunities and privileges granted to United Nations agencies.

Critics point out that the allocation bypasses standard public bidding procedures, raising further questions about the legality of the transfer under both Israeli and international regulations. The planned museum, which the Defense Ministry intends to use to promote the “heritage” of the Israeli military, has also drawn scrutiny as an attempt to entrench a security presence in a contested area of East Jerusalem.