UNRWA schools raided in Jerusalem and closure notices delivered
On Tuesday, Israeli Ministry of Education personnel, accompanied by police officers, raided six UNRWA schools in Jerusalem and delivered closure orders to school principals.
UNRWA said in a statement, commenting on the incident: "Israeli Ministry of Education employees, accompanied by police officers, forcibly entered six UNRWA schools in Shu’fat, Silwan, Sur Baher, and Wadi al-Joz in East Jerusalem and delivered notices of intent to close them."
The agency added: "This action is completely unacceptable and violates international law. It also constitutes a violation of the right of Palestine refugee children to education and threatens to deprive hundreds of children of their basic right to education within their own city. It also violates the immunity of United Nations facilities." The agency confirmed that it is closely monitoring this dangerous development and examining its legal and practical implications.
The agency affirmed its firm commitment to continuing to provide educational services to Palestinian refugees in East Jerusalem, including the current school year.
It stated: "If we are forced to close, the consequences will be dire, as children will be deprived of their basic right to education, exacerbating their suffering and negatively impacting their future. This decision also impacts the psychological well-being of children facing difficult circumstances, as well as the social fabric of the refugee community."
Approximately 800 students study in UNRWA schools, along with another 350 at the Qalandia Training College (which provides vocational education), all of which are located within the Jerusalem municipality.
The agency also operates three schools in Shu’fat refugee camp, one in Sur Baher, one in Silwan, and one in Wadi al-Joz (for boys and girls). Today, the occupation authorities delivered military orders to school principals requiring the closure of schools one month after the date of the order. This means the order will go into effect on May 8, 2025. According to the text of the order, the occupation prohibits anyone from entering school buildings after May 8, 2025, including principals, teachers, staff, and parents. Any violation of this order is considered a "criminal offense."
The occupation based this action on the claim that the schools "did not have licenses to open."
The occupation authorities demanded that the students be transferred and registered in their schools, and distributed papers addressed to the students' parents stating: "The school was closed after it was discovered that it was operating without a license and in violation of the law. The Ministry of Education and the Jerusalem Municipality are working to provide an appropriate solution for all students at the school."
In October 2024, the Knesset passed a law banning UNRWA activities inside Israel, in addition to another law prohibiting contact with it. Last February, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued instructions to implement the law banning UNRWA activities inside Israel. Hours after his announcement, Ministry of Education personnel and police officers raided UNRWA schools in the areas of Sur Baher, Silwan, and Wadi al-Joz. They also raided the Qalandia Training Institute in Qalandia refugee camp, and interrogated the school administration in these areas. Today, they raided all schools again.
