The Israeli Ministry of Education revokes the license of the "Dar Al-Huda" school in Jerusalem and cancels its funding
Israeli Knesset Member and Education Committee Chairman Zvi Sukut (Religious Zionist Party) announced last Monday that the Israeli Ministry of Education has decided to revoke the license of the "Dar al-Huda Model School and Kindergarten" in Ras Shehadeh/Shu’fat Refugee Camp, Jerusalem. The decision includes withdrawing funding and closing the institution entirely.
Sukut recorded a video at the school's main gate where he publicly addressed the administration and hung a sign on the iron gate that says (Closed) in Hebrew, asserting, "We keep our promises."
He held up an official document and stated that last week, the Israeli Ministry of Education issued a formal letter revoking the school's license, planning its closure, and demanding the recovery or deduction of prior funding because the school is operated by Hamas or involved in incitement.
Sukut started by noting he visited the school a month earlier and warned the director that accepting Hamas funds for a Jerusalem school would result in losing all state funding and the school's closure.
Details of the decision and Israeli claims
Israeli authorities allege that the school, operated by the Dar al-Huda Association for Education and Training, is funded by groups linked to Hamas and contains incitement content.
Sukkot stated, "The license and funds have been revoked, the educational institution's license has been revoked, and it has been prohibited from operating. Furthermore, we are demanding the repayment of previously allocated funds and budgets."
In the video, Sukkot stated that Israeli authorities are meeting their previous commitments, highlighting that any educational institution accused of "supporting terrorism or incitement" will not be allowed to operate or obtain government funding. The institution offers education from kindergarten and preschool through the first six grades of primary school.
This action is part of a broader campaign led by far-right Knesset member and Education Committee head Zvi Sukot, targeting Palestinian schools in Jerusalem. Sukot often uses the education sector as a battleground for political and operational clashes, having recently conducted raids and inspection tours at several Jerusalem-based schools and institutions. During these inspections, he threatened to shut down any facility that fails to meet specific conditions.
