Thousands of students across Jerusalem remained out of classrooms this week after teachers from the city’s Christian schools launched a strike over employment restrictions affecting staff from the West Bank. The disruption began after Israeli authorities did not renew work permits for a significant number of Palestinian teachers, preventing the academic year from starting as scheduled in early January. Church affiliated school administrators said the decision left them unable to guarantee basic educational continuity for their students, many of whom come from families that rely on Christian institutions for stable and affordable schooling. The strike has drawn attention to the fragile position of faith based education in the city, where political, security, and administrative measures directly affect daily life. School leaders stressed that the closures were not a political act but a response to practical constraints that made normal teaching operations impossible.
The immediate trigger for the strike was the expiration of work permits for 171 teachers from the West Bank, documents issued by the State of Israel that allow Palestinians to work legally in Jerusalem. These permits had largely been revoked after the events of October 7, though teachers were initially exempted from the policy. That exemption ended on December 30, leaving schools without a substantial portion of their teaching staff. In a public statement, representatives of Christian schools described the measures as arbitrary and warned that they undermined the right to education for children across the city. Under mounting pressure, authorities agreed to renew some permits, but only on a limited basis that restricted teachers from working on Saturdays, creating further scheduling challenges for institutions already operating under strain.
Concerns extend beyond the immediate closures, as proposed legislation reviewed in 2025 could significantly reshape the future of Christian education in East Jerusalem. The bill would prohibit schools from employing teachers trained in Palestinian territories, a move that educators say would affect more than sixty percent of current teaching staff. School administrators argue that such a measure would effectively dismantle long established educational networks that serve Christian and Muslim families alike. Christian schools have historically played a stabilizing role in the city, offering instruction rooted in coexistence, academic excellence, and social responsibility. Leaders warn that continued restrictions risk accelerating emigration from Christian communities already facing demographic decline, while also depriving the broader society of institutions that promote dialogue and peace through education rather than confrontation.
Despite the uncertainty, school leaders continue to emphasize their commitment to a message of peace and coexistence, even as classrooms remain empty. Administrators say the strike reflects desperation rather than defiance, noting that teachers and families alike are caught between political decisions and daily realities. Parents have expressed concern over lost instructional time and the psychological impact on children already living amid heightened tension. Church officials have called for practical solutions that respect security considerations while safeguarding access to education and employment. As negotiations continue, the situation highlights the vulnerability of Christian institutions in the region and the broader consequences of policy decisions on young people. For now, thousands of students remain at home, waiting for a resolution that would allow schools to reopen and restore a sense of normalcy.
