Christian schools in Jerusalem could be at risk after teachers who reside in the West Bank are being denied teaching permits, reported the Vatican's Fides agency. This denial could result in more than 200 Christian teachers losing their jobs and being unable to teach in Jerusalem’s Christian schools.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov Great concern is surfacing among parents and students about the future of Christian schools in Jerusalem, reported the Vatican's Fides agency. The key reason is a March 10 letter sent by the Israeli Ministry of Education to directors of Christian schools in Jerusalem, stating that for the 2026–2027 academic year, only teachers residing in the city and holding Israeli teaching certificates would be authorized for hire. This effectively means that Palestinian teachers residing in the West Bank cannot teach at these schools. Prior to this communication, Palestinian teachers residing in the West Bank were able to teach in Jerusalem thanks to a “green card” granted by Israeli authorities. According to the Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), more than 200 Christian teachers could lose their jobs and be unable to teach in Jerusalem’s Christian schools. Such a scenario, ACN warns, could jeopardize the educational continuity of historic institutions and the future of Christian education in Jerusalem. In July 2025, the Israeli Parliament’s Education Committee argued that teaching qualifications obtained by Palestinian teachers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem were invalid. Accordingly, the Committee banned the hiring of teachers with such qualifications at that time. At the start of the current academic year, more than 170 teachers from the West Bank had not received the necessary teaching permits. Consequently, the General Secretariat of Christian Schools organized a strike in all Christian schools in Jerusalem until the requested permits were granted.