Palestinian Churches Urge Global Christian Leaders to Save Jerusalem Schools

The Palestinian Presidential Committee for Church Affairs has issued an urgent appeal to churches worldwide, calling for immediate action to rescue Christian schools in Jerusalem and protect the educational rights of thousands of students. The committee stated that Israeli authorities are preventing many teachers and staff from the West Bank from reaching their schools in occupied East Jerusalem by withholding or refusing to renew their entry permits.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the committee reported that these Israeli measures have forced Christian educational institutions to declare an open-ended strike, jeopardizing the 2026-2027 academic year. They emphasized that barring educators from their workplaces deprives children of their fundamental right to education.

The committee warned that this situation is part of a broader escalation of restrictions on Palestinian education in Jerusalem. These include the imposition of the Israeli curriculum on Palestinian schools and legislation passed by the Knesset in December 2026 concerning the employment of graduates from Palestinian higher education institutions.

The committee asserted that these policies undermine Jerusalem's identity and contravene international law and UN resolutions, which recognize Jerusalem as occupied territory. They also conflict with the Fourth Geneva Convention, which guarantees the right to education in occupied territories.

Highlighting that education is a right, not a privilege, the committee stressed that Christian educational institutions are integral to Jerusalem's history and the church's presence, having served generations of Palestinians, both Christian and Muslim. They called for the protection of these institutions' historical role.

The committee urged global churches to leverage their international standing and relationships to advocate for the reinstatement and renewal of permits for affected staff. They also called for ensuring the safe reopening of schools and the return of teachers and students, and for continued support for educational and church institutions in Jerusalem. The appeal concluded with a call for urgent international action to guarantee respect for the rights of the Palestinian people, end ongoing Israeli violations, and hold those responsible accountable.