Israel has ordered the closure of three schools and a training centre run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the Arab-dominated eastern part of Jerusalem, according to the agency.
“Children and young people in East Jerusalem denied of their right to education in UNRWA schools,” UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini wrote on X on Tuesday.
The Israeli police referred dpa to the Jerusalem city administration, which did not comment.
Israel has accused UNRWA workers of being involved in terrorist activities organized by Gaza-based Islamist militants Hamas, including the unprecedented terrorist attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.
Lazzarini said as well as three schools with 250 children being told to close, Israeli security forces and Jerusalem city officials forcefully entered the UNRWA Kalandia Training Centre and ordered its immediate evacuation.
“At least 350 students and 30 staff were present and impacted.
Tear gas and sound bombs were fired,” he added.
“This is a violation of the basic right to education as well as of United Nations privileges and immunities. Children’s access to education must be preserved and United Nations facilities must be protected and respected at all times wherever they are.”
Israel’s parliament imposed a ban on UNRWA working on Israeli territory, which came into force at the end of January. Another law prohibits Israeli authorities from having any contact with UNRWA.
The Jewish state sees East Jerusalem as part of its “eternal and indivisible capital” while the Palestinians maintain their claim to East Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state.
The Jerusalem city council had announced that it would take care of affected students once the UNRWA ban began.
