UN chief condemns Israeli takeover of UN training center in East Jerusalem

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday condemned the Israeli takeover of a training center of the world body in East Jerusalem, his spokesperson said.

At the briefing, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric underscored that such actions violate Israel's obligations under international law and the UN Charter.

"The secretary-general condemns in the strongest terms today's actions by the Israeli authorities, including its security forces, to unlawfully enter and remain on the UNRWA Kalandia Training Centre in occupied East Jerusalem and carry out unauthorized works on those premises. The secretary-general is greatly alarmed by this development, as it will deprive young people of the vocational education they were receiving," said the spokesperson.

UNRWA is the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.

For over 70 years, the center has supported thousands of Palestine refugees through vocational education and pathways to work, the spokesperson said.

About 20 UNRWA staff members, who were present at the center at the time of the unauthorized entry, were allowed to leave, said the spokesperson.

Dujarric said the secretary-general urged the Israeli government to immediately cease interference with UNRWA premises, vacate and return all affected premises to the United Nations without delay, and protect those premises from further interference or damage.

"These actions against UNRWA premises are wholly unacceptable and inconsistent with Israel's clear obligations under international law, including the Charter of the United Nations and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations," said Dujarric.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said it is UNRWA's oldest vocational training center, providing hundreds of students from across the West Bank with free vocational education and a pathway toward greater economic independence.

Also in the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to an aluminum factory in the Palestinian village of Ein Siniya, causing extensive damage to the structure, stored materials and nearby farmland, said OCHA.

UN chief condemns Israeli takeover of UN training center in East Jerusalem

Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized advancing agricultural modernization and ensuring food security when making investigation in northeast China's Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces from Monday to Wednesday.

In Heilongjiang Province, Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited a state farm and observed the growth of soybean, corn, and rice crops. He stressed that autumn grain accounts for the bulk of annual output, calling for stepped-up farmland management and policy support to ensure grain harvest.

Visiting an agricultural science park and a rice research institute, Li asked about seed breeding innovation and black soil conservation, highlighting the importance of science and technology in pursuing higher yields and calling for further efforts in seed breeding, advanced machinery, and smart farming.

At a major water conservancy project, Li reviewed construction progress, urging faster completion to improve flood control, irrigation, and ecological benefits while supporting stable, high-yield harvests.

In Jilin Province, Li visited an agricultural cooperative and learned about its operations. He called for developing diverse forms of appropriately scaled agricultural operations and improving services for agriculture to help smallholders connect with modern agriculture.

At a grain processing plant, Li inspected a corn oil production line and called for boosting intensive processing of agricultural products to extend industrial chains and raise value.

Li also visited the Chagan Lake and learned about the ecological fisheries. He called for actively developing modern eco-aquaculture, promoting integrated development of the farming, forestry, livestock, and fishing industries as well as the development of eco-tourism.

Chinese premier stresses agricultural modernization, food security