East Jerusalem schools in crisis as Israel blocks teachers, enforces curriculum

Palestinian schools in occupied East Jerusalem face a staffing crisis after Israel blocked entry permits for educators and staff from the occupied West Bank. Private and Christian schools went on strike because of these restrictions. Dozens of educators have been denied permits, leaving schools unable to operate safely.

Israel is also expanding its educational requirements by mandating the Israeli curriculum for new first and seventh grade classes in municipal schools. Public schools are now required to teach the Israeli matriculation exam. Graduates of Palestinian universities are barred from teaching in Jerusalem. Israeli forces have seized several educational facilities to construct Israeli-administered buildings. Educators and parents state these measures threaten Palestinian education and aim to erase Palestinian history and identity.