UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees has 'not received' letter from Israel to vacate East Jerusalem: Official

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - A UN spokesman on Thursday dismissed a letter that was allegedly sent by Israel to the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) to vacate its headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem.

"Well, we've seen the media reports. I spoke to my colleagues at UNRWA, who have not received anything, any official written communication and I can tell you that they see this as the ongoing pattern of harassment of UNRWA, its workers and its facilities," Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

He said nothing had been received "as of a half an hour ago.”

His remarks came after the Israel Land Authority (ILA) ordered UNRWA to evacuate its headquarters within 30 days.

According to the Times of Israel, the ILA said the agency owes them "$7,326,711.19 for operating on land belonging to Israel without consent for the last seven years."

The move came following a demand in February by Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf to evict UNRWA.

The measure is seen as politically motivated, as Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have long sought to dismantle UNRWA from operating in occupied Palestinian territories.