The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) says six of its schools in occupied East Jerusalem will shut by 8 November, stripping 800 Palestinian children of their right to education.
Roland Friedrich, Unrwa’s West Bank director, said the move “threatens children’s futures” and breaches Israel’s legal obligations.
Schools in Shuafat camp, Silwan, Wadi al-Joz, and Sur Baher – which have been operating for decades – face closure, which will force students to travel farther or drop out of education.
Friedrich highlighted fears amongst female students, noting that: “Dreams of becoming doctors or scientists could vanish overnight.”
The closures follow Israel’s October 2024 laws banning Unrwa activities, revoking its privileges, and barring official contact. These measures were enacted in January 2025.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry called the situation a “blatant violation” of UN immunity, accusing Israel of forcing its curriculum on Palestinian students.
