NEW YORK: The UN has warned it is considering referring Israel to the International Court of Justice over recent Israeli legislation targeting the UN’s relief agency for Palestinians, and the seizure of one of its compounds in occupied East Jerusalem.

In a letter to Israeli authorities, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed “grave concerns” over amendments passed by the Israeli parliament last month banning the provision of basic utilities and essential services, such as electricity, water, telecommunications and banking, to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

The amendments, adopted by the Knesset on Dec. 29, also allow Israeli authorities to take possession of land and facilities used by UNRWA.

Guterres said these measures violate Israel’s obligations under international law and the UN Charter.

“The United Nations cannot remain indifferent to these actions,” he wrote, warning that unless Israel reverses course, the country could be referred to the International Court of Justice under the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN.

Guterres said UNRWA’s Sheikh Jarrah compound, in the Maalot Dafna neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem, is UN property and therefore “inviolable” under international law.

On Dec. 8, Israeli authorities entered the compound without UN consent, seized UNRWA assets including computer equipment, medical storage units and furniture, and removed the UN flag, replacing it with an Israeli flag.

“These actions are violations of the inviolability of United Nations premises,” Guterres said. Prior Israeli demands to evacuate the compound, requests for municipal tax payments and attempts to demolish UN property were also unlawful, he added.

He rejected claims that UNRWA owed municipal taxes, pointing out that the UN and its agencies are exempt from such taxes under international law.

Guterres stressed that UNRWA, which was established by the General Assembly, is an integral part of the UN, and its legal status and protections “remain unchanged” regardless of allegations made against it.

“No allegation against the United Nations would justify these actions,” he wrote, citing an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice in October last year that said member states must resolve disputes with the UN through established legal mechanisms and cannot unilaterally disregard their obligations.

Guterres said Israel must immediately repeal its laws targeting UNRWA, restore seized premises and assets, and ensure the protection of UN personnel, who are entitled to full diplomatic privileges and immunities.

Israel described the letter as “harsh.” Its ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, said authorities were “not fazed” by what he described as “threats” from the secretary-general.

“Instead of dealing with the undeniable involvement of UNRWA personnel in terrorism, the secretary-general chooses to threaten Israel,” Danon said.

“This is not defending international law, this is defending an organization marred by terrorism.”

Israel has repeatedly accused UNRWA staff of involvement with militant groups. The agency denies the allegations and said it investigates all credible claims.