Palestinian committee urges global action to save Christian schools in Jerusalem
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The Higher Presidential Committee for Church Affairs in Palestine, headed by PLO Executive Committee member Dr. Ramzi Khouri, has called on churches worldwide to take urgent action over restrictions affecting teachers and staff at Christian schools in Jerusalem.
In an appeal, the committee said 'Israel's' denial and non-renewal of Jerusalem entry permits for a number of teachers and staff from the West Bank had prevented them from reaching their schools and workplaces.
According to the committee, the measures have led Christian educational institutions to declare an open-ended strike, putting the 2026–2027 academic year at risk and preventing students from returning to classrooms.
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The committee described the permit restrictions as part of what it called a broader escalation of measures affecting Palestinian education in Jerusalem. It also raised concerns over the reported imposition of the ‘Israeli’ curriculum in Palestinian schools and a law passed by the ‘Israeli’ Knesset in January 2026 restricting the employment of graduates from Palestinian higher education institutions.
The committee said the measures “undermine the identity of Jerusalem” and called them inconsistent with international law and UN resolutions concerning East Jerusalem.
“Education is a right, not a privilege,” the committee said, stressing that Christian schools are an integral part of Jerusalem’s history and have served generations of Palestinians, both Christians and Muslims.
The committee called on churches worldwide to use their international relationships to push for the reinstatement and renewal of permits for affected teachers and staff, as well as the reopening of schools and the safe return of teachers and students.
It also urged continued international support for educational and church institutions in Jerusalem, calling for action to protect Palestinian rights and hold those responsible for alleged violations accountable.
