“Jerusalem in 2024”: An Israeli Iron Wall over the Ruins of Diplomatic Missions

For decades, diplomatic and UN missions have monitored the situation in East Jerusalem. However, this year, they themselves are under threat.

This threat stems from unprecedented decisions taken by Israel as part of its effort to solely control the holy city.

Among these decisions is the Israeli government’s first-time ban, since 1967, on opening diplomatic missions in the city, alongside measures aimed at erasing the presence of the UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees.

Western and UN missions now face an unprecedented situation without any prospects of halting these measures, which have been legislated by the Israeli Knesset.

Not only are these institutions under threat, but they are also being forced or compelled to leave the city where they have operated for decades, either under the pretext of recognizing the Palestinian state or accusations of supporting organizations hostile to Israel.

Spain and Norway Targeted

After recognizing the Palestinian state in May, Spain was sanctioned by Israel, which prohibited its consulate general in East Jerusalem from providing consular services to Palestinians residing in the West Bank.

For decades, the Spanish consulate general in Jerusalem has provided services, including visas, to Palestinians from East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it had ordered the Spanish consulate to stop offering consular services to Palestinians in the West Bank starting June 1.

In August, Norway announced the closure of its office in Al-Ram, north of Jerusalem, after Israel revoked the accreditation of Norwegian diplomats working there, in response to Oslo’s recognition of the Palestinian state earlier this year.

The Knesset at the Forefront

In August, the Knesset passed a law banning the opening of official foreign missions in Jerusalem unless they are accredited by the State of Israel. This law aims to strengthen Jerusalem’s status as Israel’s capital and to encourage foreign embassies to open in the city.

UNRWA at Risk

The situation of UNRWA is even more precarious after Israel decided to completely eliminate its presence in Jerusalem by 2025. Two laws passed in October oblige the agency to cease all activities within areas under Israeli sovereignty, including East Jerusalem.

Israel also ordered the evacuation of UNRWA’s main headquarters in Sheikh Jarrah, planning to establish a settlement in its place.