Large forces of the Israel Police are operating this morning (Tuesday) in Kafr Aqab, north of Jerusalem, as part of the beginning of the evacuation of the UNRWA compound there. The forces entered the compound together with the relevant authorities and contractors on behalf of the Jerusalem Municipality, as part of the implementation of UNRWA laws intended to stop the organization’s activities in Israeli territory.
Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir, commented on the action: “We are making history! This morning we are beginning work to evacuate UNRWA from Kafr Aqab.” According to him, the police forces are operating to “implement the law and remove UNRWA from the site.” Ben Gvir criticized the organization, claiming that “its employees were involved in terrorism and served time and time again as a cover for Hamas,” adding that “it has no right to exist for one more second and has no place in Jerusalem and the State of Israel.”
MK Yulia Malinovsky of Yisrael Beiteinu, one of the UNRWA lawmakers, also welcomed the move, saying that this is the implementation of the law she promoted. She said she would continue to monitor the progress of the evacuation and ensure that the State of Israel “takes possession there and establishes its sovereignty there.”
The “Bezalmo” organization that petitioned the High Court of Justice said: “We are happy that this is finally happening. It is a shame that this did not happen a long time ago. We will continue to ensure that the UNRWA compound in Kafr Aqeb and everywhere in the State of Israel is evacuated 100 percent and that educational, welfare, and community institutions that contribute to the public will be established in its place.”