UNRWA’s first and last vocational college in East Jerusalem is under threat
Summary
The UNRWA vocational training centre in East Jerusalem, which offers education and job skills to Palestinian refugees, has been raided multiple times by Israeli forces this year. Israeli authorities plan to take over the land and convert it into an educational complex under Jerusalem municipality control, while UNRWA says the site is protected by international law and should remain an educational facility for Palestinians.Key Facts
- The Qalandiya Training Centre is the last vocational training centre for Palestinians in East Jerusalem.
- Israeli troops have raided the centre six times in 2024, with the latest raid involving Israel’s National Security Minister.
- The centre provides vocational diplomas in 16 fields and helps around 340 graduates annually from the occupied West Bank.
- UNRWA reports that 90% of the centre’s graduates find jobs.
- Israeli authorities claim the land belongs to the Jewish National Fund and plan to give it to Jerusalem municipality.
- The centre was established in 1952 on land rented from Jordan before Israel’s occupation of East Jerusalem.
- UNRWA states the site is protected by UN privileges and international law because it is in occupied Palestinian territory.
- Staff and students have been expelled from the centre, and the facility was damaged during Israeli raids.
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