Demanding to close UNRWA schools in Jerusalem in implementation of the "UNRWA ban" law
On Tuesday morning, crews from the Israeli Ministry of Education, accompanied by police officers, stormed three schools affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Jerusalem, in addition to the Qalandia Training Institute in the refugee camp, and demanded their closure.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini condemned the raid, stressing that this operation represents "a violation of the basic right to education, as well as a violation of the privileges and immunities of the United Nations."
The raid comes a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued instructions to implement a law banning UNRWA activities in Israel, a law that was passed by the Knesset in October 2024, and stipulates the prevention of activities and contacts with the agency inside the occupied territories.
In this context, the Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Jerusalem reported that crews from the Ministry of Education and police officers stormed UNRWA schools in the areas of Sur Baher, Silwan, and Wadi al-Joz, and also raided the Qalandia Training Institute in Qalandia refugee camp. The administration personnel of the schools in these areas have been investigated. UNRWA confirmed in a statement that Israeli forces and members of the Jerusalem Municipality stormed the Qalandia Training Center by force and issued orders for its immediate evacuation, despite the presence of 350 students and 30 employees in the center. Tear gas and sound bombs were also fired during the raid.
As for schools, school hours continued as usual in Sur Baher and Silwan, after police were prevented from entering, while Wadi al-Joz school was evacuated to ensure the safety of students.
A Knesset law was passed in October 2024 banning UNRWA activity in Israel, in addition to another law banning contact with the agency.
Nearly 800 students study in UNRWA schools, in addition to another 350 at the Qalandia Training College (which provides vocational education), all of which are located within the Jerusalem municipality.
