Israel Enforces UNRWA School Closures in East Jerusalem, Triggering International Backlash
Israeli security forces have raided and shuttered several United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) schools in East Jerusalem, forcing hundreds of Palestinian students out of classrooms just weeks before the end of the academic year. The controversial move, part of Israel's recent ban on UNRWA operations, has sparked condemnation from international bodies and raised concerns about Palestinian children's access to education in the contested territory.
Key Developments in UNRWA School Closures
Armed Raids Enforce Contentious Closure Orders
On Thursday morning, Israeli Ministry of Education officials, accompanied by armed security forces, raided three UNRWA-run schools in East Jerusalem's Shuafat refugee camp to enforce closure orders issued in April Middle East Eye1. According to UNRWA, the raids resulted in the detention of a staff member, collection of personnel ID numbers, and the dismissal of approximately 550 students who were attending classes at the time.
Videos captured during the enforcement action showed uniformed girls hugging each other outside one of the schools following the arrival of Israeli forces. A closure order posted on a school wall declared: "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" BBC2.
Legal Framework Behind the Closures
The enforcement action comes after Israel's parliament passed laws in October 2024 forbidding contact between Israeli officials and UNRWA, as well as banning the agency's activities in Israeli territory, including East Jerusalem which Israel annexed in 1980 BBC2. Following these laws, on April 8, 2025, Israel's Education Ministry issued specific closure orders for six UNRWA-operated schools in East Jerusalem, set to take effect on May 7 972mag3.
The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) had requested a two-month delay to allow students to complete their academic year, but this petition was rejected. The Israeli Education Ministry has characterized the orders not as closures but as part of a "licensing process" to ensure appropriate safety and educational standards 972mag3.
Global Reactions to School Shutdowns
United Nations and UNRWA Response
UNRWA's Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, strongly condemned the forced school closures, declaring on social media: "Storming schools and forcing them shut is a blatant disregard of international law. These schools are inviolable premises of the United Nations" BBC2.
Roland Friedrich, the director of UNRWA affairs in the West Bank, echoed this sentiment, calling the raids "a grave violation of the privileges and immunities of the United Nations" and "a traumatising experience for young children who are at immediate risk of losing their access to education" Middle East Eye1.
International Community's Position
A joint statement from the British consulate in Jerusalem indicated that the UK, EU, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, and Japan strongly opposed the closure orders against the UNRWA schools and stood "in solidarity with students, parents, and teachers" BBC2.
The statement emphasized UNRWA's long-standing mandate: "UNRWA has operated in East Jerusalem under its UN General Assembly mandate since 1950. Israel is obliged under international humanitarian law to facilitate the proper working of all institutions devoted to the education of children" BBC2.
The Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, described the closures as a "violation of children's right to education" BBC2.
Expert Insights on the Educational Crisis
Legal and Human Rights Perspectives
Human rights organizations Adalah and Gisha have filed a petition to the Israeli Supreme Court, arguing that the laws against UNRWA and the resulting closure orders violate Palestinians' rights to education, property, health, and employment 972mag3.
Legal advocacy group Adalah wrote to Israeli authorities on May 7, demanding an immediate halt to the enforcement of the closure orders and warning that they are illegal under Israeli law Middle East Eye1.
Historical Context and Analysis
Experts note that for 58 years of Israeli occupation and annexation of East Jerusalem, UNRWA schools have operated as private institutions without being required to obtain operating licenses from the Education Ministry. This longstanding arrangement has allowed UNRWA to provide educational services without state oversight or funding 972mag3.
The Israeli Education Ministry justifies the current action by claiming that operating without licenses harms students' well-being and welfare. The ministry also states that alternative placements for students have been arranged, with the Jerusalem Municipality ready to integrate them into official institutions, including dedicated budgets for transportation and textbooks 972mag3.
However, field research by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel reports that many available alternative schools are either at capacity or too expensive for the affected families, contradicting official claims about readily available alternatives 972mag3.
Future Implications of School Closures
Educational Impact on Palestinian Students
The closure orders will directly affect approximately 800 Palestinian children who risk losing access to education just weeks before the end of the school year, which runs until June 20, 2025 Middle East Eye1.
UNRWA has stated its commitment to "delivering its services while ensuring the safety and security of its staff and beneficiaries," though specific alternative educational arrangements for the affected students remain unclear Middle East Eye1.
Political and Social Consequences
Analysts suggest the closure orders may be part of a broader political strategy. Critics point to statements by Israeli officials, including Knesset member Amit Halevi, who reportedly said: "East Jerusalem Arabs can decide. If they want to realize their national identity, there are other countries. Not in Jerusalem, not in our capital city" 972mag3.
Some observers view the school closures as one component of systematic efforts by the ministry and municipality to dismantle Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem—beginning with their schools. These efforts include budget cuts, blocking development plans, and evicting residents 972mag3.
Education at the Crossroads in East Jerusalem
As the closure of UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem unfolds, the immediate concern centers on the educational future of hundreds of Palestinian children. The international community continues to emphasize UNRWA's mandate and the right to education, while Israeli authorities maintain that the measures are about licensing and standards rather than politically motivated closures.
The question remains: in a city where approximately 390,000 Palestinians live alongside 230,000 Israeli settlers, will this educational disruption further exacerbate tensions or prompt a reassessment of policies affecting vulnerable student populations?
