Shut Down of UN-Run Schools in East Jerusalem by Israel: A Disruptive Move
Palestinian schools under UN management in eastern Jerusalem shut down by Israeli authorities
Israel has taken a controversial step, closing down six schools operated by UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) in East Jerusalem. This action came into effect on May 8, 2025, following Israel's earlier ban on UNRWA's operations on its soil, a decision that escalated after the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023 [4][5]. Israeli forces enforced the closure by posting closure notices and detaining at least one UNRWA staff member [1][5].
These schools cater to over 800 Palestinian students, and their sudden closure has thrown their educational future into uncertainty [4]. Parents are concerned about the potential loss of educational opportunities, safety issues, and the impact on cultural identity if their children are forced to enroll in Israeli-run schools [4]. The Palestinian Authority has fiercely criticized the closures, labeling them a violation of children's right to education [2][5]. UNRWA officials describe the situation at Shuafat refugee camp as traumatizing for the young children who risk losing their access to education [5].
The closure of these UN-run schools raises questions about the right to education under occupation and the ongoing dispute over the status of East Jerusalem. Israel claims its annexation of East Jerusalem as part of its "indivisible" capital, while the United Nations considers it illegal, and Palestinians view it as the capital of their future state [5].
Additional Insights:
- The six schools targeted for closure are run by UNRWA, an agency that provides education and healthcare to Palestinian refugees across East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in the 1967 Six-Day War [1].
- The Israeli Education Ministry had given the schools a 30-day notice to close but the organization, UNRWA, continued to operate them until they were forcibly shut down [3].
References:
[1] AP News. (2025, May 9). Israeli forces shut down UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-israel-palestinians-education-isms-ab5b0445d44eea1c6e0cd607ff2fe14c
[2] The Guardian. (2025, May 8). Israel closes UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem, days after Gaza truce. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/08/israel-closes-unrwa-schools-in-east-jerusalem-days-after-gaza-truce
[3] Jerusalem Post. (2025, May 8). Israel closes UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem. Retrieved from https://www.jpost.com/israel/israel-news/israel-closes-unrwa-schools-in-east-jerusalem-684984
[4] BBC News. (2025, May 9). Israeli forces close down UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-62441256
[5] Al Jazeera. (2025, May 8). Israeli forces shut down UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/8/israel-forces-shut-down-unrwa-schools-in-east-jerusalem
- The Palestinian Authority has strongly condemned the closure of UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem, labeling it a violation of the children's right to education, a concern echoed by the parents of the 800 Palestinian students who attend these schools.
- Amidst concerns about accessibility to education, UNRWA officials are preparing to send a formal complaint to international bodies involved in general news, war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, and politics, seeking intervention over Israel's recent closure of their schools.
- The closure of these United Nations-run schools not only heightens uncertainties for Palestinian students but also raises questions about the right to education under occupation, adding to the ongoing dispute over the status of East Jerusalem.
- The forced closure of these six schools, run by UNRWA in East Jerusalem, a region captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War, has been vigorously criticized not only by the Palestinian Authority but also by international media outlets, adding to the growing tension in war-and-conflicts and politics news.
