Israeli Forces Shut Down UN Schools in East Jerusalem

In a significant escalation of tensions, Israeli forces have forcibly closed three schools operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem's Shuafat refugee camp. Numerous Palestinian students were sent home shortly after classes commenced. Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA Commissioner-General, denounced the closures as a violation of children's fundamental right to education and a blatant infringement of international law. The Israeli government claims that UNRWA is compromised by Hamas affiliations, which the agency vehemently denies, maintaining its neutral stance. The closures prompted widespread criticism from various international entities, who condemned the actions as detrimental to Palestinian education.

Israeli security forces surrounded schools in East Jerusalem after classes began, sending students home and prompting criticism from UNRWA officials. According to Lazzarini, over 550 students aged six to 15 were affected, and one UNRWA staff member was detained during the incident. A closure order affixed to one of the school buildings explicitly prohibited educational operations, illustrating the severity of the enforcement. Lazzarini took to social media to emphasize the violation of international law, stating, "Storming schools and forcing them shut is a blatant disregard of international law." He further argued that these schools should remain open to protect the educational rights of Palestinian children.

The Palestinian Authority condemned the closures as a violation of the right to education, while the British consulate, alongside the EU, Norway, Japan, Switzerland, and Turkey, expressed strong opposition to these actions and affirmed solidarity with affected students and their families. UNRWA has been facilitating education in East Jerusalem since 1950 and asserts that Israel is obligated under international humanitarian law to support the functioning of educational institutions for children.

Despite Israel's claims of justified closure based on national security concerns, the international community largely views such actions as part of a broader strategy to undermine Palestinian education and autonomy. East Jerusalem, which Israel annexed in 1980—a move not recognized by most nations—remains a highly contentious area, with Palestinians advocating for it as the capital of their future state. Approximately 230,000 Israeli settlers and 390,000 Palestinians coexist in this disputed region, leading to ongoing tensions and clashes over land and rights.