Jerusalem Schools Shut as West Bank Staff Permits Lapse

Private schools in Jerusalem suspended classes on Tuesday after entry permits for dozens of teachers and staff from the West Bank were not renewed, preventing them from reaching their workplaces as the new school year began.

The Christian Schools in Jerusalem said permits for more than 70 teachers and staff working in educational, administrative, health, and support roles had not been renewed. The group said classes would remain suspended until the permits are renewed and staff can return to their schools.

At Saint George's School in Jerusalem, general director Richard Zananiri said teachers who had permits were at the school on Tuesday, waiting for classes to resume. "We were shocked and stunned that a large number of female teachers, male teachers, male employees, and female employees from a large number of Jerusalem schools did not receive permits," he said.

Zananiri estimated that around 26,000 to 28,000 students were affected by the suspension, which included Christian schools and other private schools in Jerusalem. He noted that schools face shortages of teachers and certain specializations and rely on teachers from the West Bank. "We are talking about 25 to 30 percent of our teachers being from the West Bank," he said, adding that alternatives in Jerusalem cannot cover all needs.

The permit issue also affected employees responsible for maintenance, cleaning, and security. The Christian Schools in Jerusalem called on authorities to urgently renew the permits and establish a mechanism to prevent similar disruptions in the future.

The Israeli military referred questions to COGAT, which disputed the schools' account, saying the claim that dozens of teachers were without crossing permits was incorrect. It said all teachers and employees eligible for permits received them following security clearance and an eligibility review ahead of the school year.