Israeli restrictions on Palestinian teachers threaten the survival of Christian schools in Jerusalem, as hundreds of educators face exclusion from the next academic year.
On March 10, the Israeli Ministry of Education said no work permits will be issued for the 2026–2027 academic year to Palestinian teachers holding “green cards,” according to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN).
The decision could affect nearly 230 Christian teachers working across 15 schools, raising concern over staffing gaps that school leaders say could disrupt operations and undermine their mission.
A representative of the General Secretariat of Christian Schools in the Holy Land warned that if implemented, the measure would place schools “in a very difficult position,” one that would “jeopardize their sustainability and cause them to lose their Christian mission,” in comments shared with ACN.
The impact is expected to be immediate. The loss would mean “about 15 absent teachers per school,” causing “a major disruption for our pupils and our teams.”
The pressure has been building. At the start of the current academic year, 171 teachers from the West Bank were denied permits, prompting a week-long strike across Christian schools until authorizations were issued.
In July 2025, Israel’s Knesset approved a bill barring the employment of Palestinian teachers with West Bank-issued degrees, citing concerns over academic qualifications.
Church officials say the policy overlooks a critical reality. “There are not enough Christian teachers in Jerusalem to take over,” the representative said, warning that the restrictions could “permanently” alter the character of these institutions and weaken “the Christian faith and presence in the city.”
Most of the affected teachers have served for years and support their families through stable salaries. Their exclusion could deepen economic strain in communities already affected by the war in Gaza, with some families likely to consider emigration.
Despite the constraints, Church leaders say they are pursuing dialogue and legal remedies. “The Church will not abandon them in these difficult circumstances,” the representative said, adding that efforts are underway to engage Israeli authorities and mobilize international support.
“It is essential to highlight this problem on a global scale by disseminating information to make the truth known,” the representative said, adding that financial aid may be needed if families lose their income.
He added that prayer remains vital “for these teachers and for all Christians in Jerusalem and the Holy Land, for prayer remains the key to the heart of Almighty God, in the land He has blessed and sanctified.”
