Explosive Evidence: East Jerusalem School Linked to Hamas

MK Sukkot made an emergency visit to a school in Shuafat. • The institution’s principal is linked to Hamas-affiliated associations. • He confronted him with incriminating material and left the site | “It is unthinkable that the capital of Israel becomes an area where terrorist organizations build infrastructure” (Haredi News) MK Sukkot in East Jerusalem | Photo: Hatzki Baruch 10 10 0:00 / 1:37

A serious case was exposed this week in Jerusalem, when the “Nur al-Huda” school in the Shuafat neighborhood came under suspicion of ties to the terrorist organization Hamas. According to data presented recently, the educational institution is linked to the association “Amsah Damat Alitim,” which is run by figures identified with the “Zakat Al Quds” association, an entity that was declared by the court to be a Hamas-affiliated organization and is now in the process of dissolution.

MK Zvi Sukkot, chairman of the Knesset Education Committee, made an emergency visit to the institution in order to examine the claims on the ground. During the visit, Sukkot confronted the school principal, Hamza Kaisi, with material showing him recruiting funds for those same associations. The principal, for his part, chose to leave the meeting and return inside the school grounds, without answering the questions raised.

The incriminating ties to the terrorist organization

The materials uncovered, including by the website “The Jewish Voice,” indicate that the school principal takes an active role in various positions in these associations. It also emerged that official publications of the institution expressed thanks to organizations that were defined in Israel as prohibited bodies, due to their direct ties to Hamas activity.

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According to suspicion, even the school building itself was erected through donations raised by figures linked to the terrorist organization. Figures controversial for their support of terrorism took part in the building’s inauguration ceremony, according to the materials presented.

“It is unthinkable that the capital of Israel becomes an area where terrorist organizations build civilian infrastructure and shape the consciousness of a young generation,” MK Sukkot said at the end of the tour. לדבריו, מדובר במאבק על ה משילות ועל החינוך בעיר, וכי בכוונתו לפנות בדחיפות למשרדי החינוך והביטחון כדי לבחון מחדש את ההתקשרויות עם המוסד.

MK Sukkot in East Jerusalem (Photo: Hatzki Baruch)

A broader picture

Behind the specific case in Shuafat lies a broader picture. According to sources familiar with the details, the matter was brought to the authorities’ attention years ago.

“We warned about Hamas institutions in Jerusalem that are funded by the State of Israel already four years ago,” The Jewish Voice said. “We hope the security authorities will act against these institutions located in the heart of Jerusalem, just as they act against the organization’s infrastructure in Gaza.”

The issue now lies before government ministries, which are forced to deal with the challenge of tracking public funds reaching institutions with ties to terrorist organizations. In a reality where the boundary between civilian life and terrorism in East Jerusalem is becoming blurred and dangerous, the question at hand is how to prevent the continuation of the phenomenon.

Immediate action called for

MK Sukkot, who has previously held sharp discussions in the Education Committee on issues related to the education system, emphasizes that this is a matter with both security and educational implications.

“This is not only a matter of budgets,” he clarifies. “It is a matter of who is educating the next generation in Jerusalem.”

For now, the matter is under review, and the security authorities are required to decide how to act against educational institutions suspected of ties to terrorist organizations. The central question is whether such institutions can continue to be funded, or whether decisive action is needed to sever the connection.

More updates to follow.