Jerusalem: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned the closure of six UNRWA schools in occupied Jerusalem by the Israeli occupation.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the OIC described the measure as illegal, targeting UNRWA's operations that benefit many Palestinians. It is a violation of the UN Charter and resolution 302 of the UNGA, which established the UNRWA program to provide direct relief and works programs to Palestine refugees to prevent conditions of starvation and distress, and to promote peace and stability.
The OIC warned that the closure would prevent Palestinian children from accessing necessary education, thereby restricting the rights of this significant sector of society. The organization renewed calls to protect UNRWA and to provide political, financial, and legal support to enable the agency to continue serving around five million Palestinian refugees, ensuring their rights as stated in UNGA resolution 194. This resolution asserts that refugees wishing to return to their homes and live at peace with their neighbors should be allowed to do so at the earliest practicable date, with compensation for those choosing not to return and for loss or damage to property.
Early this morning, Israeli occupation forces intruded into an UNRWA school in Shu'fat Camp, east Jerusalem, closing down the school and forcibly evicting its staff and students. In April, the Israeli government decided to close five schools in Jerusalem, citing the absence of legal permits as a reason. Further, the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, passed a law in October 2024 to ban UNRWA schools in the occupied territories.