Amid the ongoing escalation targeting the Palestinian educational infrastructure, the unjust step taken by the Israeli occupation authorities to close UNRWA schools in the Shuafat refugee camp in occupied Jerusalem constitutes a flagrant violation of educational and humanitarian rights recognized by international conventions and reveals a premeditated intent to undermine one of the most important pillars of Palestinian resilience: the right to education.

This arbitrary decision does not fall within the framework of an administrative or regulatory matter, as the occupation claims. Rather, it comes within the context of a systematic policy aimed at undermining the Palestinian presence in Jerusalem by emptying the city of its educational institutions and depriving its children of their most basic guaranteed rights, foremost among which is the right to a quality, safe, and sustainable education. It is, in essence, a blatant violation of international conventions, foremost among them the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and United Nations resolutions that have repeatedly emphasized that education is an inalienable right, especially in times of conflict and displacement.

The closure of UNRWA schools constitutes a historic setback that shakes the very essence of the Palestinian entity. The impact goes beyond depriving thousands of children of their legitimate right to education; it extends to undermine the foundations of the Palestinian social fabric, threatening its unity and stability. This decision, which appears to be a mere administrative measure on the surface, opens the door wide to cycles of marginalization and fuels despair in the hearts of young people, preparing them for a bleak future that limits their hopes and leads them toward violence, extremism, and displacement. It not only strikes at the present but also destroys the dreams of future generations and sows doubt in the feasibility of progress, contributing to the dismantling of the societal fabric and undermining the foundations of security, development, and stability.

Stemming from its national and moral responsibility, the Educational Policy Cooperative, as one of the arms of the Palestinian Education Coalition, and believing that education is the first line of defense for identity and dignity, affirms that what is happening in Jerusalem cannot be separated from a systematic political project aimed at emptying the city of its educational and cultural institutions.

While we emphasize that the closure of UNRWA schools is not merely an administrative measure, but a serious violation of international agreements, we warn that this decision not only threatens the future of thousands of children, but also threatens the collapse of the social protection system and fuels feelings of marginalization and delinquency among the rising generations, opening the door to the spread of violence, extremism, and delinquency.

Based on the above, the Palestinian Education Coalition calls on all national forces, civil society institutions, and international bodies, most notably UNESCO and UNICEF, to assume their moral and humanitarian responsibilities and work to:

• Stop these unjust policies that affect the essence of the right to education.

• Ensure the continuation of education services for refugee children without politicization or diminution.

• Enabling UNRWA to perform its historical and humanitarian role in caring for refugees, based on Resolution 302 issued by the United Nations General Assembly.

Protecting the right to education in Jerusalem is not only a national responsibility, but a true test of the international community's commitment to the principles of justice and human rights. Attacking educational institutions in Jerusalem, Gaza, Jenin, or other Palestinian cities is a direct assault on the future of future Palestinian generations and a blatant attempt to separate Palestinians from their roots and identity.

Hence, we, in the Palestinian Education Coalition, call upon all active forces to close ranks and intensify efforts in defense of the right to education, and to adhere to international conventions as a legal and moral lever to guarantee this right and protect it from tampering and political blackmail.