Kathmandu— Teachers at private and Christian schools in East Jerusalem have launched an indefinite strike to protest against Israel’s enforcement of its own curriculum and the blocking of entry permits for West Bank educators. The academic year began on Tuesday with all new first and seventh-grade classes in Palestinian-majority municipal schools instructed to use only the Israeli curriculum, affecting over 45,000 students.

Curriculum Controversy

The forced integration of the Israeli curriculum into Palestinian schools has been described as a cultural and educational crime by Jerusalem Governorate spokesman Marouf al-Rifai. He emphasized that adherence to the Palestinian curriculum is not just about textbooks but also about defending memory, identity, history, and the right to determine the national narrative.

Permit Crisis

Palestinian schools in East Jerusalem are facing a severe staffing shortage due to Israel’s blocking of entry permits for West Bank teachers. The General Secretariat for Christian Educational Institutions announced an indefinite strike, citing the sudden non-renewal of permits for over 70 teachers and staff members just days before the school year began.

Systematic Pressure Tactics

Recent Israeli legislation has further exacerbated the crisis by prohibiting the employment of teachers with degrees from Palestinian Authority institutions. This law targets approximately 60 percent of East Jerusalem’s Arab educators, who hold such degrees. Schools are also facing financial pressures and legal battles to maintain their independence.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.