Israeli security forces have forcibly closed three UN-run schools in East Jerusalem, evoking widespread criticism and concern for the educational rights of Palestinian students.
Israeli Forces Shut Down UN Schools in East Jerusalem Amid Growing Tensions
Israeli Forces Shut Down UN Schools in East Jerusalem Amid Growing Tensions
Closure of UNRWA schools draws international condemnation as Palestinian students face educational disruption.
In a significant escalation of tensions between Israel and Palestinian authorities, armed Israeli security forces closed three schools operated by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem's Shuafat refugee camp earlier today. The move caused chaos as hundreds of Palestinian students were sent home shortly after the school day began.
Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA's Commissioner-General, expressed outrage over the closure, stating that it represents a clear violation of international law and denies children their fundamental right to education. The closure comes in the wake of an Israeli ban on UNRWA, which the Israeli government accuses of harboring ties with Hamas—a claim the agency vehemently denies.
Footage from the scene captured emotional moments as schoolgirls in uniform embraced one another outside the schools, highlighting the traumatic impact on the children. A posted closure order prohibited any educational activity, reinforcing the severity of the situation. Lazzarini criticized Israeli authorities for ignoring the sanctity of UN institutions, calling the closures a "blatant disregard of international law."
Additionally, Israeli police were reported to be stationed at other local schools, effectively extending the disruption of education across the region. The Palestinian Authority condemned the closures as a violation of children's rights, while the British consulate in Jerusalem, alongside other nations, expressed strong opposition to the Israeli actions.
UNRWA has been operational in East Jerusalem since 1950 under a mandate from the UN General Assembly, and these closures illustrate escalating friction in a region where the educational rights of Palestinian children are increasingly threatened. The ongoing Israeli presence in East Jerusalem, which includes approximately 230,000 Israeli settlers, raises further complexities in the quest for peaceful resolution and the pursuit of Palestinian statehood.
Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA's Commissioner-General, expressed outrage over the closure, stating that it represents a clear violation of international law and denies children their fundamental right to education. The closure comes in the wake of an Israeli ban on UNRWA, which the Israeli government accuses of harboring ties with Hamas—a claim the agency vehemently denies.
Footage from the scene captured emotional moments as schoolgirls in uniform embraced one another outside the schools, highlighting the traumatic impact on the children. A posted closure order prohibited any educational activity, reinforcing the severity of the situation. Lazzarini criticized Israeli authorities for ignoring the sanctity of UN institutions, calling the closures a "blatant disregard of international law."
Additionally, Israeli police were reported to be stationed at other local schools, effectively extending the disruption of education across the region. The Palestinian Authority condemned the closures as a violation of children's rights, while the British consulate in Jerusalem, alongside other nations, expressed strong opposition to the Israeli actions.
UNRWA has been operational in East Jerusalem since 1950 under a mandate from the UN General Assembly, and these closures illustrate escalating friction in a region where the educational rights of Palestinian children are increasingly threatened. The ongoing Israeli presence in East Jerusalem, which includes approximately 230,000 Israeli settlers, raises further complexities in the quest for peaceful resolution and the pursuit of Palestinian statehood.
