Israeli forces shut down a UNRWA vocational centre in East Jerusalem following PM Netanyahu’s directive, sparking clashes and international condemnation
Israeli authorities shut down a UNRWA vocational centre in the Kalandiya Refugee Camp on Tuesday, enforcing a law banning the UN agency’s operations in East Jerusalem. The move, ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, triggered unrest as Israeli police clashed with demonstrators outside the facility.
The shutdown follows revelations that some UNRWA employees were allegedly involved in Hamas’s October 7 massacre, prompting Israel to accelerate efforts to dismantle the agency’s presence. “We must act promptly to close and evacuate all UNRWA buildings in Jerusalem,” said Jerusalem Minister Meir Porush, calling the organisation a “terror-supporting body.”
The centre’s closure disrupted 350 students and 30 staff members. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini condemned the move, stating, “Children and young people in East Jerusalem are being denied their right to education.” He accused Israeli forces of storming the compound, firing tear gas, and using sound bombs.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe wider ban, enacted on January 31, impacts nearly 800 students across UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem. Israeli officials plan to integrate affected students into municipal schools and establish temporary mobile classrooms in refugee camps. Critics argue that these measures will further isolate Palestinian communities, particularly in Shuafat, where UNRWA services are a lifeline.
Israel maintains that UNRWA fosters extremism and poses a security threat. MK Dan Illouz, who spearheaded the legislation, declared, “UNRWA is a branch of terror. Eliminating it means eliminating incitement and terror infrastructure.” Proponents of the ban demand its full and immediate enforcement across all Palestinian territories.
The move has drawn international criticism, with UN and human rights groups warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis. As tensions mount, the battle over UNRWA’s role in East Jerusalem is far from over.
