“Israel” forces close UN schools in east Jerusalem

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said Thursday that “Israel” closed three of its schools in east Jerusalem, months after an “Israeli” ban on its activities took effect.

A closure notice in Hebrew was left at the entrance of at least one of the schools, and UNRWA said at least one of its staff members was detained.

"From May 8, 2025, it will be prohibited to operate educational institutions, or employ teachers, teaching staff or any other staff, and it will be forbidden to accommodate students or allow the entry of students into this institution," the closure order read.

UNRWA's director in the West Bank, Roland Friedrich, told AFP that "heavily armed" forces surrounded three UNRWA schools in east Jerusalem's Shuafat camp at 9:00 AM on Thursday.

Friedrich added that 550 pupils aged six to 15 were present when the closure was enforced, calling the event "a traumatising experience for young children who are at immediate risk of losing their access to education."

Friedrich said that police were being deployed at three separate schools in other parts of east Jerusalem, which has been annexed by “Israel” since 1967.

“Israeli” forces removed children from two schools, many of whom left in tears, and posted a closure notice stating that the schools were operating illegally without "authorization".

Several young pupils, some visibly moved and others shocked, hugged in front of the school before leaving the premises.

The Palestinian Authority condemned the move in a statement to AFP, calling it a "violation of children's right to education".

In a statement, its ministry of education called the closures a "crime" and urged international institutions to "to assume their responsibilities and defend the right of refugee children to a free and safe education".

UNRWA has provided support for Palestinian refugees around the Middle East for more than 70 years, but has long clashed with “Israeli” officials, who have repeatedly accused it of undermining the country's security.

“Wholly inadequate”

At the end of January, “Israeli” legislation came into force severing ties with the agency, which is banned from operating on the occupied territories.

Contact between it and “Israeli” officials is also forbidden.

“Israel” accused UNRWA of providing cover for Hamas fighters, claiming that some of the agency's employees took part in the events of October 7, 2023.

A series of investigations, including one led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, found some "neutrality-related issues" at UNRWA, but stressed “Israel” had not provided evidence for its headline allegation.

Palestinian human rights group Adalah reported that “Israeli” police were raiding six UNRWA-run schools in east Jerusalem.

The organisation filed a petition with “Israel's” Supreme Court in mid-January arguing the new legislation against UNRWA violated "fundamental human rights and Israel's obligations under international law".

The Supreme Court rejected its request for the legislation to be suspended.

In April, Adalah demanded a halt to the closure orders on UNRWA-run schools at the Supreme Court.

The state responded that the Jerusalem municipality was offering alternative schooling and the court rejected the NGO's motion.

Adalah called the proposed alternatives "wholly inadequate".