Israel officially shutters UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem, months after ban went into effect

Israeli police have shut down six schools operated by UNRWA in the Shuafat refugee camp and other neighborhoods of East Jerusalem.

The closures follow a notice issued by police to the schools last month and now mark the official enforcement of Israel’s ban on UNRWA operations within its sovereign territory.

According to the Jerusalem Municipality, approximately 900 students were enrolled in UNRWA-run schools in the city. Since the law’s passage, the municipality has worked to provide alternative placements for these students in other schools across East Jerusalem.

In addition, a new educational center is being planned in the Shuafat refugee camp that will include several schools operating under the supervision of Israel’s Education Ministry.

Roughly six months ago, Israel passed legislation that came into effect in January prohibiting the UN refugee agency from operating within its sovereign territory, after accusing it of ongoing incitement and alleging that some 10% of its workforce in Gaza have ties to terror groups.

The law does not apply to the West Bank or Gaza Strip.