Zionist Regime to Close UNRWA Schools in al-Quds
WEST BANK (Dispatches) – The Zionist regime’s authorities are planning to shut down schools in occupied East al-Quds run by the United Nations refugee agency for Palestinians.
Palestinian Ma'an news agency reported that the regime would revoke permits allowing schools operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to continue to work next school year.
In October 2018, Nir Barakat, the former mayor of al-Quds, had said that administration for schools, clinics and sports centers, among other services, would be transferred to the regime’s authorities.
Sami Meshasha, the spokesperson for UNRWA, said in a press statement that the occupying regime was violating the refugee convention over its plan.
"UNRWA's existence in Jerusalem (al-Quds) is not a gift from Israel," the spokesperson said, adding, "There are bilateral agreements binding on Israel to respect the agency's installations, jurisdiction and immunity in Jerusalem."
"In addition, Israel is a party to the 1946 Refugee Convention, and such attempts are in violation of this convention."
Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the executive committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), said in a statement carried by official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, that the Israeli decision was "a direct insult to the international community and disregard for its laws and decisions and institutions."
"This provocative step deliberately targets Palestinian refugees and their rights guaranteed by international and humanitarian law," Ashrawi said.
"It also targets Jerusalem and its institutions within the framework of the occupying state's strategy of Judaizing the Holy City, promoting the policy of ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, extending control over all aspects of life, and imposing new facts on the ground," she added.
UNRWA runs seven schools in two refugee camps in occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds, serving a total of 3,000 students.
The Israeli plan is the latest blow to the agency after the United States’ decision last year to halt its funding.
U.S. President Donald Trump had already angered Palestinians by his December 2017 recognition of the disputed city of al-Quds as the regime’s "capital" and cutting more than $200 million in bilateral aid for Gaza and the West Bank.
Palestinian Ma'an news agency reported that the regime would revoke permits allowing schools operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to continue to work next school year.
In October 2018, Nir Barakat, the former mayor of al-Quds, had said that administration for schools, clinics and sports centers, among other services, would be transferred to the regime’s authorities.
Sami Meshasha, the spokesperson for UNRWA, said in a press statement that the occupying regime was violating the refugee convention over its plan.
"UNRWA's existence in Jerusalem (al-Quds) is not a gift from Israel," the spokesperson said, adding, "There are bilateral agreements binding on Israel to respect the agency's installations, jurisdiction and immunity in Jerusalem."
"In addition, Israel is a party to the 1946 Refugee Convention, and such attempts are in violation of this convention."
Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the executive committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), said in a statement carried by official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, that the Israeli decision was "a direct insult to the international community and disregard for its laws and decisions and institutions."
"This provocative step deliberately targets Palestinian refugees and their rights guaranteed by international and humanitarian law," Ashrawi said.
"It also targets Jerusalem and its institutions within the framework of the occupying state's strategy of Judaizing the Holy City, promoting the policy of ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, extending control over all aspects of life, and imposing new facts on the ground," she added.
UNRWA runs seven schools in two refugee camps in occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds, serving a total of 3,000 students.
The Israeli plan is the latest blow to the agency after the United States’ decision last year to halt its funding.
U.S. President Donald Trump had already angered Palestinians by his December 2017 recognition of the disputed city of al-Quds as the regime’s "capital" and cutting more than $200 million in bilateral aid for Gaza and the West Bank.