What's happened
Palestinian officials in East Jerusalem have called a strike affecting around 20,000 students and 171 staff, protesting Israeli restrictions on teacher permits and employment. The move follows ongoing tensions over movement restrictions, school closures, and policies targeting Palestinian education amid high tensions since October 2023.
What's behind the headline?
The Israeli restrictions on teacher permits in East Jerusalem reveal a systematic effort to undermine Palestinian educational institutions and identity. The restrictions, which exclude Fridays, Sundays, and Saturdays, disrupt the academic calendar and threaten the operation of schools. The bans on employing teachers with Palestinian degrees and the closure of UNRWA schools further escalate tensions. These policies serve to weaken Palestinian societal structures and assert Israeli control over East Jerusalem, a city Palestinians view as their future capital. The protests indicate a deepening conflict over sovereignty and rights, with the potential to destabilize the region further. The Israeli government’s actions are likely to provoke international criticism and could hinder future negotiations on Jerusalem’s status, impacting prospects for a two-state solution.
What the papers say
The New Arab reports that Palestinian officials describe the restrictions as 'arbitrary' and part of a broader effort to undermine Palestinian governance in East Jerusalem. Al Jazeera highlights the deepening dismay among Palestinian educators and the systematic nature of the restrictions, including bans on employing teachers from Palestinian institutions. The Times of Israel emphasizes Israel's justification based on security concerns but notes the widespread opposition from Palestinian authorities and international bodies. All sources agree that the restrictions are a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict over Jerusalem’s status and Palestinian rights, with potential long-term consequences for regional stability.
How we got here
The protests stem from Israeli restrictions on Palestinian teachers' permits, including exclusions of certain days and bans on employing teachers with Palestinian university degrees. These measures are part of broader policies affecting Palestinian institutions and UNRWA schools, amid heightened tensions following the Gaza war in October 2023.
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East Jerusalem (Arabic: القدس الشرقية, romanized: al-Quds ash-Sharqiya; Hebrew: מִזְרַח יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, romanized: Mizraḥ Yerushalayim), the portion of Jerusalem east of the Green Line established formally by the armistice