Israel to Approve Army Museum on Ruins of UNRWA HQ in East Jerusalem

The Israeli government is expected to approve plans on May 17 to construct a major military complex, including an army museum and recruitment office, on the site of the former UNRWA headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem. This date coincides with Israel's Jerusalem Day and the Palestinian Nakba Day. The project allocates approximately 36 dunams in the Ma'alot Dafna neighborhood to the Defence Ministry, aiming to entrench Israel's symbolic and military presence in the area. The decision follows the controversial demolition of parts of the UNRWA compound in January 2026, which drew strong condemnation from the United Nations and several Western governments. Israel justified the earlier demolition by claiming the site was abandoned and lacked diplomatic immunity after banning UNRWA operations in 2024. Critics, including UN officials, argue these actions violate international law and represent an effort to erase Palestinian refugee identity. The move occurs amidst heightened tensions, with UNRWA having suffered significant staff losses during the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The plan repurposes seized UN land beside memorials celebrating the 1967 capture of Jerusalem, further intensifying disputes over sovereignty and humanitarian access in the region.