Christian schools in Jerusalem protest non-renewal of entry permits for teachers
Christian schools in Jerusalem announced the suspension of classes on 1 September 2026, due to the non-renewal of entry permits into the city for dozens of members of their staff.
The strike was supposed to be indefinite, but was called off after one day, after Israeli authorities renewed some of the permits.
In a statement sent to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the headmaster of the Collège des Frères in Jerusalem, warns of the consequences of this situation for students, families, and the future of the Christian presence in the Holy Land.
“The start of the school term should be a moment of joy, reunions, and hope. For Christian schools in Jerusalem, the beginning of the 2026–2027 academic year is unfortunately marked by a new crisis,” said Brother Daoud Kassabry.
In a press release published on 31 August, the General Secretariat of Christian Educational Institutions in Jerusalem formally announced the suspension of school activities in its schools starting Tuesday, 1 September. The decision follows the non-renewal of entry permits into the city for over 70 teachers and staff members. Their absence hinders teaching as well as administration, technical, and sanitary services, affecting a total of more than 8,500 students.
The difficulty stems from Jerusalem’s special status and the restrictions governing access to the city for Palestinians from the West Bank. The affected teachers and staff require Israeli permits to enter. However, as the new term approached, their entry permits were not renewed. The 31 August statement emphasises that this measure was taken “suddenly and without prior notice”. The situation makes a “safe and stable” start to the school year impossible.
Brother Daoud Kassabry added that “this suspension fits into a broader context of restrictions concerning the recruitment and qualifications of Palestinian teachers.” In his view, the problem cannot be reduced to a simple administrative difficulty. “For us, a teacher cannot be replaced overnight. They bring expertise, experience, an understanding of the students, and a relationship of trust with families.”
Behind the permits, families
The crisis is also a human one. “Behind every non-renewed permit, there is a person, a family, and a livelihood threatened,” Brother Daoud Kassabry explained to ACN.
The establishments must also continue to cover their overheads even while classes are suspended. This situation risks compounding their financial difficulties, in a context where many families are already struggling to pay tuition fees. Jerusalem has experienced a particularly difficult economic situation since the start of the war and the collapse of tourism.
A school for Christians and for all of society
Christian schools in Jerusalem welcome both Christian and Muslim students. They are places for learning mutual respect, which holds particular importance in a city where communities live in a state of division. At the Collège des Frères, in Jerusalem, this mission is rooted in a 150-year history.
For Christians, these schools also represent an essential element of their presence in the Holy City. A family needs to be able to work, but also to offer its children a stable, high-quality education. When these two conditions are undermined, the very possibility of remaining in Jerusalem can be compromised as well.
Confronted with the current situation, Christian schools called for the necessary permits to be swiftly “reissued and renewed”. In their statement, they also requested that such measures cease and not recur in the future, in order to preserve the stability of educational institutions and guarantee students “a regular and safe education”.
The decision to call the strike, as well as the appeal of the Christian schools, appears to have borne fruit, as Israeli authorities renewed some of the permits on 1 September. “Some for one week, some for a month and some until the end of this year” said George Akroush, director of development at the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem. However, “this means that over 70 teachers did not get their full permits until the end of the academic year. Church authorities will continue to apply pressure to the authorities concerning these teachers, and are hopeful that the full permits will be issued soon, perhaps after Christmas,” Akroush added.
Brother Daoud said: “We call on the relevant authorities, Church leaders, and international partners to support a swift and lasting solution. The children of Jerusalem need stability, confidence, and an open future.”
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