How Israel is tightening its grip on Palestinian schools in East Jerusalem

Jamal Shalabi, a 66-year-old chemistry teacher, faces an uncertain future after being informed his entry permit to East Jerusalem will be revoked at the end of the 2026-27 academic year. He is one of 180 Palestinian teachers affected by this Israeli measure, which represents one of the most prominent restrictions on Palestinian education in the occupied territory.

The permit restrictions have been particularly severe since the 2023 Gaza war, limiting teachers to specific hours and prohibiting them from being anywhere other than their schools. "We can no longer reach the Al-Aqsa Mosque to pray, nor can we accompany students on school field trips," Shalabi explained, noting they were also barred from entering Jerusalem during the recent Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

Israeli Curriculum Imposition

The permit restrictions are part of broader Israeli policies aimed at increasing Palestinian students studying the Israeli curriculum. The government plan conditions funding for new schools on curriculum adoption and includes teacher training programs within the Israeli education system.

According to Palestinian officials, approximately 45,000 students—about 38% of the total student population in East Jerusalem—are now studying the Israeli curriculum, up from just hundreds 15 years ago. Schools face threats of funding loss and license revocation if they refuse to comply.

Classroom Shortage Crisis

East Jerusalem schools face a severe deficit of 2,283 classrooms, according to Ir Amim. Even if the Jerusalem Municipality's construction plans are fully implemented, a shortfall of approximately 1,100 classrooms is projected to persist by 2032.

The shortage forces some classrooms to accommodate as many as 42 students, making it difficult for teachers to provide individual attention. Some schools have begun converting residential apartments and commercial properties into classrooms, which often lack proper educational facilities like laboratories and dedicated activity spaces.

Ramadan Awad, spokesperson for the Union of Parents' Committees, emphasized that the shortage creates significant challenges within schools, affecting both teaching quality and student monitoring. The situation represents another layer in Israel's tightening grip on Palestinian education in East Jerusalem.