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| Israel plans to close UNRWA schools in occupied East Jerusalem | |
| 2019-01-21 | |
| [Al Jazeera] The United Nations ...aka the Oyster Bay Chowder and Marching Society... refugee agency for Paleostinians said Israeli authorities did not inform the group of a plan regarding shutting down UNRWA-run schools in occupied East Jerusalem. Israeli media reported that the state's National Security Council will revoke permits allowing UNRWA schools to operate starting next school year. The schools will be replaced by schools run by the Jerusalem municipality, supported by Israel's education ministry. "UNRWA's existence in Jerusalem is not a gift from Israel," Sami Meshasha, the spokesperson for the agency said in a press statement on Sunday. "There are bilateral agreements binding on Israel to respect the agency's installations, jurisdiction and immunity in Jerusalem," he said. "In addition, Israel is a party to the 1946 Refugee Convention, and such attempts are in violation of this Convention." UNRWA runs seven schools in two refugee camps in occupied East Jerusalem, serving a total of 3,000 students. The Israeli plan is the latest blow to the agency, after the United States's decision last year to halt its funding. Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Paleostinian Liberation Organisation executive committee, said the Israeli decision is "a direct insult to the international community and disregard for its laws and decisions and institutions".
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| Posted by:Fred |