Zananiri: Permit restrictions are crippling schools, leaving 300 teachers and thousands of students without access to education
Christian schools in Jerusalem announced they would suspend classes on Tuesday to protest Israeli decisions to revoke and limit permits for teachers from the West Bank.
The second semester was set to start last Saturday, January 10, 2026, at schools affiliated with the General Secretariat of Christian Educational Institutions. However, because of new Israeli restrictions on permits for teachers and staff with West Bank IDs, classes were suspended. The schools confirmed they could not operate normally under these restrictions.
In an interview with the Wadi Hilweh Information Center in Jerusalem, Richard Zananiri, the principal of the St. Georges School, outlined the reasons behind the decision and its impact on education. He stressed that this is part of a systematic effort to target education in Jerusalem, rather than a decision made solely by school administrations.
Zananiri highlighted that Jerusalem faces a significant Israeli offensive aimed at controlling both its population and infrastructure, especially within the health and education sectors. He views the recent permit restrictions as part of this broader strategy.
Zananiri noted that the key issue is the inability to issue permits on Saturdays, along with cancellations on Fridays and Sundays. Previously, until the first semester, a "weekly permit" system was used, allowing access all week. Changing this system is difficult because many teachers and workers are active on Fridays and Sundays, and there are extracurricular activities in schools on these days.
He inquired, "Why were these permits revoked?" He clarified that, following these developments, the General Secretariat of Christian Educational Institutions convened an emergency meeting to address the Israeli actions and took what he called a commendable and resolute stand, opposing the arbitrary decision with backing from all churches, bishops, and denominations.
He noted that education in Jerusalem faces a sequence of targeted policies, beginning with efforts to Judaize the curriculum, followed by permit restrictions, and culminating in employment policies that exclude graduates from internationally recognized Palestinian universities despite their acknowledged academic credentials.
Zananiri mentioned that the General Secretariat of Christian Educational Institutions manages 14 schools in Jerusalem, including both inside and outside the Old City. These schools serve approximately 8,700 to 9,000 students, ranging from kindergarten to high school (Tawjihi).
He mentioned that other private schools in Jerusalem encounter similar issues with permit restrictions, with several announcing the suspension of classes on Monday for the same reason.
He emphasized that the decision to suspend classes and disrupt the academic year, including not starting the second semester, was made by Israeli authorities due to the inability to issue permits to teachers. This is not a decision made by the school administrations. He also highlighted that the purpose of this action is to voice opposition to these new policies.
He emphasized that all administrators and teachers want life to return to the classrooms, and that schools are always prepared to welcome students back. He added, "Today, there is no activity in the school; no bells ringing, no students making noise, and no teachers present. We do not desire this situation, and we are not to blame for it."
He explained that the decision impacts every teacher holding a West Bank ID working in Jerusalem schools. Specifically, 171 teachers and staff in private schools are affected, along with about 130 teachers and staff in other Jerusalem institutions, totaling roughly 300 individuals. This accounts for 30% of Jerusalem's teachers and significantly influences the city's education system.
Zananiri inquired about the reasons behind canceling permits and implementing these restrictions. He pointed out irrational cases, such as banning individual teachers from getting permits to work in Jerusalem schools, and called out the requests for schools to be open on Fridays and closed on Saturdays and Sundays—describing these as unfair demands and decisions.
He concluded by stressing that these decisions are unwarranted, random, and unjust to Jerusalem schools, which deliver an educational and humanitarian message and are recognized for their high standards and pedagogical skills.
