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Kuwait Times
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Zionists close UN schools in annexed east Jerusalem
JERUSALEM: The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees on Thursday decried an 'assault on children' after the Zionist entity closed all six of its schools in annexed east Jerusalem, months after a Zionist ban on its activities took effect. 'Storming schools & forcing them shut is a blatant disregard of international law', UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini posted on X, describing the move as 'An assault on children. An assault on education'. UNRWA spokesman Jonathan Fowler told AFP that Zionist forces 'closed six United Nations schools in annexed east Jerusalem on Thursday, posting closure orders on the six buildings and forcibly entering three of the six schools'. An AFP photographer present at two of the schools in the Shuafat refugee camp reported that Zionist forces entered the premises and posted a closure notice stating the schools were operating without 'authorization'. The children had to leave the premises, with many departing in tears. Several young pupils, some visibly moved and others shocked, hugged in front of the school before they left. UNRWA said one of its staff members was detained. 'From May 8, 2025, it will be prohibited to operate educational institutions, or employ teachers, teaching staff or any other staff, and it will be forbidden to accommodate students or allow the entry of students into this institution,' the closure order in Hebrew read. UNRWA's director in the West Bank, Roland Friedrich, told AFP that 'heavily armed' forces surrounded the three UNRWA schools in Shuafat camp at 9:00 am. Friedrich added that 550 pupils aged six to 15 were present when the closure was enforced, calling it 'a traumatizing experience for young children who are at immediate risk of losing their access to education'. Friedrich said police were deployed in the area around three separate schools in other parts of east Jerusalem, which has been annexed by the Zionist entity since 1967. UNRWA said that the school year for 800 children had 'been ended by force'. The Palestinian Authority condemned the move in a statement to AFP, calling it a 'violation of children's right to education'. In a statement, its education ministry called the closures a 'crime' and urged international institutions 'to assume their responsibilities and defend the right of refugee children to a free and safe education'. UNRWA has provided support for Palestinian refugees around the Middle East for more than 70 years, but has long clashed with Zionist officials, who have repeatedly accused it of undermining the country's security. At the end of January, Zionist legislation came into force banning the agency's activities. Due to the annexation, the law applies to east Jerusalem but not to the rest of the West Bank, which has been occupied by the Zionist entity since 1967. Contact between it and Zionist officials is also forbidden. Adalah, a group defending the rights of the Arab minority, reported Zionist police were raiding six UNRWA-run schools in east Jerusalem. The organization filed a petition with the Zionist entity's Supreme Court in mid-January arguing the new legislation against UNRWA violated 'fundamental human rights and the Zionist entity's obligations under international law'. The Supreme Court rejected its request for the legislation to be suspended. In April, Adalah demanded a halt to the closure orders on UNRWA-run schools at the Supreme Court. The state responded that the Jerusalem municipality was offering alternative schooling and the court rejected the NGO's motion. Adalah called the proposed alternatives 'wholly inadequate'. The United Nations considers the annexation of Jerusalem's eastern sector illegal. – AFP
The Journal
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
'Utterly shameful': Irish MEPs slam EU offer to assist Israel in replacing Gaza aid agencies
AN OFFER MADE by the European Union's top diplomat to assist Israel in replacing aid agencies in Gaza has been described as 'utterly shameful' and 'against what we stand for' by two Irish MEPs. On Wednesday evening, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said she had offered Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar EU assistance with his government's proposal to take over the distribution of aid in the besieged Palestinian territory, where Israel has imposed a complete blockade since early March. Since then, no food, water or medical supplies have entered Gaza and Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the siege is 'clearly a war crime' and that Israel's war 'has lost any moral compass'. 'I offered also help by the European Union to distribute the humanitarian aid if they don't trust the other actors there,' Kallas told journalists at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Warsaw. Kallas apparently contradicted her own statement issued on Wednesday , which raised concerns about the Israeli proposal, saying it 'runs counter to humanitarian principles, as underlined by UN agencies and humanitarian partners'. The Journal understands that Kallas made the offer without consulting her colleagues and that her remarks do not reflect the EU's official position. Irish MEPs spoke to The Journal and expressed concern about Kallas' offer of EU assistance. 'Rather than offering to assist in their plan to ethnically cleanse Gaza, the EU should be imposing the most severe sanctions on Israel, and leading calls for a permanent ceasefire,' said Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan. Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews said: 'Israel's current proposal to bypass and undermine established humanitarian actors and take direct control of aid distribution is deeply alarming.' Both MEPs said assisting Israel in taking over aid distribution would go against core humanitarian principles and undermine the work of the United Nations. Kallas made her comments on the same day that UN agencies condemned Israel's plan to take over aid distribution. Displaced Palestinians by makeshift tents outside an UNRWA-run clinic west of Gaza City Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo A spokesperson for the UN's aid coordination office, OCHA, said it 'appears to be a deliberate attempt to weaponise the aid and we have warned against that for a very long time'. Amnesty International told The Journal 'the EU must unequivocally reject' the plan and ensure the bloc 'is not complicit in Israel's genocide, whether directly or indirectly'. There are 15 UN agencies operating in Gaza – including the likes of UNRWA, UNICEF and the World Food Programme – alongside roughly 200 NGOs. Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Advertisement 'Beyond belief' According to Lynn Boylan, Kallas' offer of EU participation in the Israeli plan undermines the United Nations agencies working in Gaza. 'Kaja Kallas' comments around finding an 'alternative' to UNRWA are utterly shameful and a complete betrayal of international law,' Boylan told The Journal . 'Instead of undermining the work of UNRWA, Ms Kallas should focus on who is responsible for blocking humanitarian aid from entering Gaza at every opportunity,' Boylan said. It is truly beyond belief to make this offer mere days after Israel announced their intention to indefinitely occupy Gaza. Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews told The Journal that the EU has a duty to ensure that aid is delivered 'according to the core humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality, independence, and humanity'. Aligning with Israel's proposed model would not only go against what we stand for, it would also set a dangerous global precedent. 'It is of the utmost importance that aid remains separate from politicisation, militarisation and weaponisation.' MEPs Lynn Boylan and Barry Andrews Alamy Alamy He also said that normalising 'the politicisation and instrumentalisation' of humanitarian aid would blur the lines between civilian and military roles. 'Fragmenting the humanitarian response system not only risks the lives of those on the ground, but also severely damages the legitimacy and effectiveness of aid delivery.' Boylan said that Israel has 'forced supplies to rot at the border, attacked aid vessels in international waters and tried to cover up their murder of aid workers'. 'Offering to assist Israel in taking over 'the distribution of aid' in the Gaza Strip is handing them total power to weaponise starvation and deprivation.' Ireland and a number of other EU member states have consistently voiced support for UN agencies working in Gaza, particularly UNRWA, while the Israeli government has levelled attacks at the UN throughout the conflict. The Israeli parliament voted to ban UNRWA from operating in Israel in January of this year after accusing the organisation of being staffed by members of Hamas. Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu told the General Assembly last year that the UN was an 'antisemitic swamp' while Israeli officials have also taken aim at the UN's International Court of Justice, where the country stands accused of committing genocide against the people of Gaza. Netanyahu himself is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes, including the use of starvation as a weapon of war. Earlier this week, a group of more than 20 UN experts said countries were at a moral crossroads over their response to Israel's escalation of hostilities and ongoing siege of Gaza. States face a choice between acting to halt the violence and looking on at 'the annihilation of the Palestinian population' in the territory, the experts said. 'The decision is stark: remain passive and witness the slaughter of innocents or take part in crafting a just resolution,' they said in a statement, urging the world to avert the 'moral abyss we are descending into'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
eNCA
08-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Israel forces close UN schools in annexed east Jerusalem
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said Thursday that Israel closed three of its schools in annexed east Jerusalem, months after an Israeli ban on its activities took effect. An AFP photographer at the scene reported that a closure notice in Hebrew was left at the entrance of at least one of the schools, and UNRWA said at least one of its staff members was detained. "From May 8, 2025, it will be prohibited to operate educational institutions, or employ teachers, teaching staff or any other staff, and it will be forbidden to accommodate students or allow the entry of students into this institution," the closure order read. UNRWA's director in the West Bank, Roland Friedrich, told AFP that "heavily armed" forces surrounded three UNRWA schools in east Jerusalem's Shuafat camp at 9:00 am on Thursday. Friedrich added that 550 pupils aged six to 15 were present when the closure was enforced, calling the event "a traumatising experience for young children who are at immediate risk of losing their access to education." Friedrich said that police were being deployed at three separate schools in other parts of east Jerusalem, which has been annexed by Israel since 1967. An AFP photographer reported that Israeli forces removed children from two schools, many of whom left in tears, and posted a closure notice stating that the schools were operating illegally without "authorisation". AFP | AHMAD GHARABLI Several young pupils, some visibly moved and others shocked, hugged in front of the school before leaving the premises. The Palestinian Authority condemned the move in a statement to AFP, calling it a "violation of children's right to education". In a statement, its ministry of education called the closures a "crime" and urged international institutions to "to assume their responsibilities and defend the right of refugee children to a free and safe education". UNRWA has provided support for Palestinian refugees around the Middle East for more than 70 years, but has long clashed with Israeli officials, who have repeatedly accused it of undermining the country's security. - 'Wholly inadequate' - At the end of January, Israeli legislation came into force severing ties with the agency, which is banned from operating on Israeli soil. Contact between it and Israeli officials is also forbidden. Israel has accused UNRWA of providing cover for Hamas militants, claiming that some of the agency's employees took part in Hamas's October 7, 2023 assault on Israel which sparked the war in Gaza. A series of investigations, including one led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, found some "neutrality-related issues" at UNRWA, but stressed Israel had not provided evidence for its headline allegation. AFP | AHMAD GHARABLI Palestinian human rights group Adalah reported that Israeli police were raiding six UNRWA-run schools in east Jerusalem. The organisation filed a petition with Israel's Supreme Court in mid-January arguing the new legislation against UNRWA violated "fundamental human rights and Israel's obligations under international law". The Supreme Court rejected its request for the legislation to be suspended. In April, Adalah demanded a halt to the closure orders on UNRWA-run schools at the Supreme Court. The state responded that the Jerusalem municipality was offering alternative schooling and the court rejected the NGO's motion. Adalah called the proposed alternatives "wholly inadequate". Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its capital, though the United Nations considers its annexation of the city's eastern sector illegal. The Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state. By Ahmad Gharabli
Roya News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Roya News
'Israel' forces close UN schools in east Jerusalem
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said Thursday that 'Israel' closed three of its schools in east Jerusalem, months after an 'Israeli' ban on its activities took effect. A closure notice in Hebrew was left at the entrance of at least one of the schools, and UNRWA said at least one of its staff members was detained. "From May 8, 2025, it will be prohibited to operate educational institutions, or employ teachers, teaching staff or any other staff, and it will be forbidden to accommodate students or allow the entry of students into this institution," the closure order read. UNRWA's director in the West Bank, Roland Friedrich, told AFP that "heavily armed" forces surrounded three UNRWA schools in east Jerusalem's Shuafat camp at 9:00 AM on Thursday. Friedrich added that 550 pupils aged six to 15 were present when the closure was enforced, calling the event "a traumatising experience for young children who are at immediate risk of losing their access to education." Friedrich said that police were being deployed at three separate schools in other parts of east Jerusalem, which has been annexed by 'Israel' since 1967. 'Israeli' forces removed children from two schools, many of whom left in tears, and posted a closure notice stating that the schools were operating illegally without "authorization". Several young pupils, some visibly moved and others shocked, hugged in front of the school before leaving the premises. The Palestinian Authority condemned the move in a statement to AFP, calling it a "violation of children's right to education". In a statement, its ministry of education called the closures a "crime" and urged international institutions to "to assume their responsibilities and defend the right of refugee children to a free and safe education". UNRWA has provided support for Palestinian refugees around the Middle East for more than 70 years, but has long clashed with 'Israeli' officials, who have repeatedly accused it of undermining the country's security. 'Wholly inadequate' At the end of January, 'Israeli' legislation came into force severing ties with the agency, which is banned from operating on the occupied territories. Contact between it and 'Israeli' officials is also forbidden. 'Israel' accused UNRWA of providing cover for Hamas fighters, claiming that some of the agency's employees took part in the events of October 7, 2023. A series of investigations, including one led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, found some "neutrality-related issues" at UNRWA, but stressed 'Israel' had not provided evidence for its headline allegation. Palestinian human rights group Adalah reported that 'Israeli' police were raiding six UNRWA-run schools in east Jerusalem. The organisation filed a petition with 'Israel's' Supreme Court in mid-January arguing the new legislation against UNRWA violated "fundamental human rights and Israel's obligations under international law". The Supreme Court rejected its request for the legislation to be suspended. In April, Adalah demanded a halt to the closure orders on UNRWA-run schools at the Supreme Court. The state responded that the Jerusalem municipality was offering alternative schooling and the court rejected the NGO's motion.
Int'l Business Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Israel Forces Close UN Schools In Annexed East Jerusalem
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said Thursday that Israel closed three of its schools in annexed east Jerusalem, months after an Israeli ban on its activities took effect. An AFP photographer at the scene reported that a closure notice in Hebrew was left at the entrance of at least one of the schools, and UNRWA said at least one of its staff members was detained. "From May 8, 2025, it will be prohibited to operate educational institutions, or employ teachers, teaching staff or any other staff, and it will be forbidden to accommodate students or allow the entry of students into this institution," the closure order read. UNRWA's director in the West Bank, Roland Friedrich, told AFP that "heavily armed" forces surrounded three UNRWA schools in east Jerusalem's Shuafat camp at 9:00 am on Thursday. Friedrich added that 550 pupils aged six to 15 were present when the closure was enforced, calling the event "a traumatising experience for young children who are at immediate risk of losing their access to education." Friedrich said that police were being deployed at three separate schools in other parts of east Jerusalem, which has been annexed by Israel since 1967. An AFP photographer reported that Israeli forces removed children from two schools, many of whom left in tears, and posted a closure notice stating that the schools were operating illegally without "authorisation". Several young pupils, some visibly moved and others shocked, hugged in front of the school before leaving the premises. The Palestinian Authority condemned the move in a statement to AFP, calling it a "violation of children's right to education". In a statement, its ministry of education called the closures a "crime" and urged international institutions to "to assume their responsibilities and defend the right of refugee children to a free and safe education". UNRWA has provided support for Palestinian refugees around the Middle East for more than 70 years, but has long clashed with Israeli officials, who have repeatedly accused it of undermining the country's security. At the end of January, Israeli legislation came into force severing ties with the agency, which is banned from operating on Israeli soil. Contact between it and Israeli officials is also forbidden. Israel has accused UNRWA of providing cover for Hamas militants, claiming that some of the agency's employees took part in Hamas's October 7, 2023 assault on Israel which sparked the war in Gaza. A series of investigations, including one led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, found some "neutrality-related issues" at UNRWA, but stressed Israel had not provided evidence for its headline allegation. Palestinian human rights group Adalah reported that Israeli police were raiding six UNRWA-run schools in east Jerusalem. The organisation filed a petition with Israel's Supreme Court in mid-January arguing the new legislation against UNRWA violated "fundamental human rights and Israel's obligations under international law". The Supreme Court rejected its request for the legislation to be suspended. In April, Adalah demanded a halt to the closure orders on UNRWA-run schools at the Supreme Court. The state responded that the Jerusalem municipality was offering alternative schooling and the court rejected the NGO's motion. Adalah called the proposed alternatives "wholly inadequate". Israel claims all of Jerusalem as its capital, though the United Nations considers its annexation of the city's eastern sector illegal. The Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of a future independent state. Palestinian schoolgirls leave a UNWRA school in the Shoafat refugee camp in east Jerusalem AFP Palestinian schoolgirls embrace as they leave a UNWRA school AFP
