ASIA/ISRAEL - No permits for teachers residing in the West Bank: next academic year at Christian schools in Jerusalem is at risk

Thursday, 26 March 2026 jerusalem holy land school students

ISRAEL

2026-03-26
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Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) – New shadows are looming over the future of Christian schools in the Holy City after the Israeli Ministry of Education sent a letter on March 10 to the directors of Christian schools in Jerusalem, stating that for the 2026-2027 academic year, only teachers residing in the city and holding Israeli teaching certificates will be authorized to be hired. Therefore, classes and courses cannot be taught by Palestinian teachers residing in the West Bank.

Until now, Palestinian teachers residing in the West Bank were able to teach in Jerusalem thanks to a "green card" granted by the Israeli authorities.

More than 200 Christian teachers – according to the "Aid to the Church in Need" Foundation – could lose their jobs and be unable to teach in Jerusalem's Christian schools, a situation that jeopardizes the educational continuity of historic institutions and the future of Christian education in the Holy City.

Back in July 2025, the Israeli Parliament's Education Committee had already banned the hiring of Palestinian teachers with qualifications obtained in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in Christian schools, arguing that these qualifications did not meet the academic requirements for teaching.

At the start of the current school year, 171 teachers from the West Bank had not received the necessary permits to teach. The General Secretariat of Christian Schools had organized a strike in all Christian schools in Jerusalem until the requested permits were granted. (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 26/3/2026)