Classes suspended in Jerusalem's public and private schools due to the non-renewal of teachers' and staff members' permits
Private and public schools in Jerusalem will suspend classes from Tuesday morning, September 1, 2026, until entry permits for teachers and staff with West Bank IDs are reissued.
The decision followed Israeli occupation authorities suddenly refusing to renew entry permits for many teachers and support staff without warning, which blocked many from reaching their schools and affected the schools' preparations for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Christian Schools: Permits for over 70 teachers and staff not renewed
Christian schools in Jerusalem stated that as they prepared for the 2026-2027 academic year, they were surprised and disappointed once again by the abrupt and unexpected non-renewal of entry permits for more than 70 teachers and staff members across their educational, administrative, and support teams. This prevented them from accessing their schools and directly hindered their readiness for the new school year.
They explained that the shortage of staff impacts many areas of school operations, such as education, administration, health services, cleaning, and safety. This makes it impossible to ensure a safe and stable start to the academic year for students.
They stated that, following consultation with relevant authorities, parents' representatives, and Jerusalem schools, classes in Jerusalem will be suspended beginning Tuesday morning, September 1, 2026. This suspension will continue until the necessary permits for teachers and staff are reissued and renewed, ensuring the educational process can continue safely and smoothly.
Christian schools stressed that repeated measures like these destabilize the institutions, impair their capacity to fulfill their mission, and adversely affect students, families, teachers, and the wider community.
They emphasized that Christian schools in Jerusalem have long played a vital role in the city's educational, pedagogical, and humanitarian efforts, becoming a key part of Jerusalem's cultural and social identity. They added that over the centuries, these schools have dedicated themselves to delivering high-quality education and fostering generations rooted in knowledge, values, a sense of belonging, and responsibility.
They hoped the crisis would be resolved quickly, with measures ending and not recurring, to maintain stability in educational institutions, protect students' right to safe and consistent education, and allow schools to carry on their educational, pedagogical, and humanitarian work.
Private Schools: Opening the school year is impossible
Private schools in Jerusalem reported that the sudden, unexplained non-renewal of entry permits for many teachers and staff has blocked many from reaching their schools, making it impossible to start the school year under these conditions.
They explained that the staff shortage affects not only the educational process but also reduces the schools' preparedness in health, hygiene, safety, and security, which hampers the beginning of a safe and stable academic year.
After consulting and coordinating with all relevant parties, particularly parents' representatives, it was agreed to suspend classes in all Jerusalem schools from tomorrow morning, Tuesday, September 1, 2026. This will continue until all permits for teachers and staff are reissued and renewed without exception.
This isn't the first time... The start of the second semester was disrupted last year
The decision to suspend classes occurs amid ongoing issues with permits for teachers and staff with West Bank IDs.
At the start of this year, Israeli occupation authorities halted the issuance and renewal of permits for teachers and staff with West Bank IDs, coinciding with the beginning of the second semester of the 2025-2026 school year.
As a result, Jerusalem schools went on strike and did not hold classes for nearly a week until the permits for teachers and staff were reissued and renewed, enabling the resumption of classes and normal attendance.
The ongoing crisis this academic year has renewed concerns about the reliance on entry permits, which hinder teachers and staff from reaching schools in Jerusalem. This situation disrupts the educational process and jeopardizes the year's stability, particularly since several schools depend on staff with West Bank IDs who need permits to enter Jerusalem.
