UNRWA Faces School Closures in East Jerusalem Amid israeli Restrictions
Table of Contents
- 1. UNRWA Faces School Closures in East Jerusalem Amid israeli Restrictions
- 2. Looming School Closures Threaten Education Access
- 3. UNRWA’s Broader Operations at Risk
- 4. International Court of Justice Weighs In
- 5. Anxiety and Uncertainty Among Students and Families
- 6. UNRWA’s Commitment to Continued Service
- 7. Key Takeaways:
- 8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 9. What is dr. Hassan’s biggest fear?
- 10. Interview: Addressing the UNRWA Crisis in East Jerusalem with Director of education, Dr. Amal Hassan
By Archyde News | Published: April 30, 2025
East Jerusalem – The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is facing imminent challenges to its operations in East Jerusalem, including the potential closure of six schools, affecting 800 students. The growth stems from Israeli laws that went into effect in late January, effectively banning UNRWA from operating within Israeli territory and prohibiting Israeli authorities from engaging with the agency.
The closures, scheduled to take effect on May 8th, have sparked anxiety among students and families, according to Roland Friedrich, an UNRWA official. UNRWA is the primary provider of essential services to nearly six million Palestine refugees across the Middle East, including the Gaza Strip.
Looming School Closures Threaten Education Access
Friedrich spoke to UN News about the potential impact of the closures. “Roughly four weeks ago we received notifications from the Israeli Ministry of education that the three schools we operate in Shu’fat refugee camp and another three schools we operate inside East Jerusalem shall be closed,” Friedrich said.
He emphasized the critical role these schools play in the lives of the children they serve.”We have 800 students in these schools and these children have no adequate access to education beyond these schools… It’s a grave threat to the rights of those children to education.”
UNRWA’s Broader Operations at Risk
While the immediate concern centers on the school closures,questions arise about the future of other UNRWA programs in the West Bank.
Friedrich clarified the situation, stating, “In east Jerusalem we operate, in addition to the six schools with 800 children, two health centres – one in the Old City and another in Shu’fat refugee camp – with roughly 60,000 patients… We are also responsible for garbage collection in Shu’fat refugee camp… In addition to that, we also operate a vocational training center… with 350 trainees.”
He also noted the challenges faced at UNRWA’s headquarters. “Our main headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem is in the Sheikh Jarah neighbourhood. We currently cannot operate from it because of continuing security threats… We again had an arson attack against these facilities three weeks ago.”
International Court of Justice Weighs In
The International Court of Justice, the UN’s highest court, has commenced hearings to examine Israel’s restrictions on the operations of the UN and other international organizations in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The hearings highlight the growing international scrutiny of the situation.
Anxiety and Uncertainty Among Students and Families
The uncertainty surrounding the school closures has taken a toll on the community.Friedrich described the atmosphere during his recent visit to Shu’fat camp.”There is anxiety among children. They are worried that they can’t continue the school year…They’re worried that they will lose access to education… Parents are also concerned… there’s a history of UNRWA teaching in that place and an gratitude for the quality of the services we deliver.”
He further noted the dedication of local staff. “Given the fact that all international UN staff have not received visas from the Israeli authorities since late January, it’s our local staff on the ground who are taking high risks in continuing to serve their communities.”
UNRWA’s Commitment to Continued Service
Despite the obstacles, UNRWA remains committed to its mandate. “We’ve been very clear since these laws against UNRWA entered into effect on 29 January. We’ve been seeking to live up to our humanitarian commitment, to our mandate to continue to deliver these services to communities in East Jerusalem,” said Friedrich.
He also highlighted ongoing legal challenges. “There have been legal efforts by Israeli civil society organizations before the courts against these laws and against these disclosure orders. Some of these proceedings are still pending.”
Friedrich concluded by emphasizing the agency’s unwavering dedication: “As a matter of principle, we will be there as long as we can.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Why are UNRWA schools facing closure in East Jerusalem?
Due to Israeli laws that ban UNRWA from operating in Israeli territory, citing concerns about the agency’s neutrality and operations.
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How many students will be affected by the school closures?
Approximately 800 students in six schools located in Shu’fat refugee camp and East Jerusalem.
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What other services does UNRWA provide in East Jerusalem?
In addition to schools, UNRWA operates two health centers, provides garbage collection in Shu’fat refugee camp, and runs a vocational training center.
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What is the International court of Justice doing?
The ICJ is examining Israel’s restrictions on UN and international organizations in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
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What is UNRWA’s response to these challenges?
UNRWA is committed to continuing its services provided that it is indeed safe for its staff to operate,and is pursuing legal challenges to the Israeli laws.
What is dr. Hassan’s biggest fear?
Interview: Addressing the UNRWA Crisis in East Jerusalem with Director of education, Dr. Amal Hassan
By Archyde News
Archyde News: Dr. Hassan, thank you for joining us today. The situation facing UNRWA schools and operations in east Jerusalem is deeply concerning. Could you provide an overview of the immediate impact of these potential closures on the students and families you serve?
dr. Amal Hassan: Thank you for having me. The impact is devastating. We are looking at the potential closure of six schools, directly affecting 800 students. These children, many of whom already face significant challenges, will lose access to vital education. Beyond the immediate academic disruption,this creates immense anxiety for students and their families. these schools are more than just buildings; they are safe havens, providing a sense of normalcy and opportunity a future.
Archyde News: The article mentions Israeli laws restricting UNRWA’s operations. Could you elaborate on the specific implications of these laws on UNRWA’s ability to deliver its services in East Jerusalem, including the schools and other services, such as health centers?
Dr. Amal Hassan: Absolutely. The new laws effectively ban UNRWA from operating on what is considered Israeli territory, which includes east Jerusalem. This includes the schools. The laws not only impede our ability to teach but also prohibit Israeli authorities from cooperating with us. This has resulted in delays in permitting for essential repairs, restrictions on the movement of our staff, and, frankly, a general climate of difficulty in carrying out our humanitarian work.Beyond the schools, we also run two health centers that are a lifeline for approximately 60,000 patients, plus the vocational training center, and garbage collection. All of these services are now at risk.
archyde News: The International Court of Justice is examining the restrictions. In your view, what is the potential significance of this intervention in the context of the challenges you are facing?
dr. Amal Hassan: The ICJ’s involvement is crucial. It offers the international community visibility and legal scrutiny, which is essential to highlight the potential violation of human rights and international law. We are hopeful that the ICJ’s inquiry will have a positive influence in clarifying the legal framework and making the international community aware of the issues at hand, and encourage all stakeholders to address them as soon as possible.
Archyde news: The article emphasizes the dedication of local staff. Can you speak to their efforts and the challenges they face while working to continue these services amid these obstacles?
Dr. amal Hassan: Our local staff are the backbone of UNRWA’s operations in East Jerusalem. They are incredibly committed and brave. Without the relevant visas from the Israeli authorities for any international staff members as late January, our local staff is taking on the immense task with the risk of continuing to serve the community with courage and determination. They face constant security risks, including hostility, and have been working tirelessly to ensure that refugees recieve the services they desperately need during a tough time.
Archyde News: Looking toward the future, what are the long-term consequences if UNRWA is unable to continue its educational services in East Jerusalem? What impact will this have on the children and also to society?
Dr. Amal Hassan: the consequences are multifaceted and dire. Without access to education, these children risk losing their future, their hopes, and their dreams. This could have severe ramifications on our students and the greater society around them, leaving a gap of opportunities where there would be a loss of access to education for these young children.This not only impacts the individual child, but also to the future of Palestinian society, which is a big loss.
Archyde News: Despite these obstacles, UNRWA’s commitment is clear. How does UNRWA plan to continue providing crucial services in east Jerusalem in the face of these challenges? What support is required to address this crisis?
Dr. Amal Hassan: Our steadfast and unwavering determination to continue to serve is clear. We are also dedicated to staying committed to our humanitarian mission. We actively pursue support from international organizations and legal action. Funding is essential, as are diplomatic efforts to advocate for our freedom to operate. We require support from all parties and organizations that believe in the right to education for every child and every human being. We are also focused on community engagement. If we work with them we will be able to operate at our greatest performance.
Archyde News: Dr. Hassan,thank you for your incredibly insightful perspective. Our readers are encouraged to share their thoughts or to support organizations working to create change to find out more. What do you think will become of these children and refugees if they are unable to attain education?
What is your biggest fear?
Dr. Amal Hassan: Thank you for giving me this chance. My biggest fear is that the children lose their access to education. It is indeed key for stability, security, and peace. It is indeed the foundation for both their personal development, as well as the growth of society.
