The "Permit crisis" disrupts the beginning of the second semester in Jerusalem schools
The second semester at Christian schools in Jerusalem was set to start on Saturday, January 10, 2026. However, private schools announced they would suspend classes because of Israeli restrictions on permits for teachers and staff traveling from the West Bank.
On Friday, the schools released a statement saying classes would be suspended on Saturday, January 10, 2026, because teachers and staff with West Bank IDs couldn’t reach Jerusalem. They later extended the suspension to Monday, citing unresolved permit issues that prevented all teachers and staff from obtaining authorization.
In response to these Israeli measures and restrictions, the private schools in Jerusalem have announced that classes will be suspended tomorrow, citing concerns about the negative impact on their capacity to carry out their educational mission.
A statement from the Christian schools in Jerusalem, operated by the General Secretariat of Christian Educational Institutions, highlighted recent challenges threatening their educational mission. The schools reported that Israeli authorities have suspended permits for several teachers from the West Bank and limited others to only school days, restricting their access on other days. This situation hampers both educational and administrative activities.
The statement indicated that the relevant Israeli authorities have suspended the permits of several teachers from the West Bank and limited the permits of others to only school days, excluding other days of the week. This has disrupted the educational and administrative workflow.
The Christian schools strongly rejected these measures, stressing that securing full, uninterrupted permits for the entire week is a fundamental right that must not be conceded or compromised.
They highlighted that the efforts of schools and their staff go beyond school days, covering all days of the week. This includes their curricular, extracurricular, and community programs and activities.
The statement reported that these new measures have adversely affected the permits of 171 teachers and staff, disrupting the schools' ability to start the second semester as scheduled on Saturday, January 10th. The schools emphasized their struggle to maintain normal operations under these restrictions.
The Christian schools in Jerusalem emphasized that these measures do not serve Jerusalem's mission as a city open to all, but rather serve those who seek to disrupt educational life in the city.
The statement noted that Christian schools are among Jerusalem's oldest educational institutions, with a history of several centuries. They have endured numerous challenges, political shifts, and changes in governance, playing a key role in shaping the city's cultural, educational, and national identity. These schools were more than just educational spaces; they served as inclusive environments that helped foster national and cultural identity. They attracted students from various religious backgrounds and have consistently offered quality education and a distinctive upbringing in pedagogy, social engagement, and cultural preservation—upholding language, heritage, and values, and promoting coexistence and human values. Their contributions are integral to maintaining Jerusalem's rich cultural tapestry.
The Parents' Union of Jerusalem Schools
The Parents' Union expressed its support for the educational institutions that suspended classes in protest against recent measures. These measures negatively impacted teaching staff and restricted their access to work, ultimately harming our students.
The union urged the responsible authorities to repair this damage as soon as possible.
