Israeli Move Threatens UNRWA’s Sole Vocational College in East Jerusalem

Israel’s recent decision to issue a demolition order against the Qalandiya Training Centre has put the city’s longest‑running UNRWA‑operated vocational school in jeopardy. The centre, located in the historic Qalandiya neighbourhood of East Jerusalem, is the only remaining UNRWA vocational college in the area and has served generations of Palestinian refugees since its establishment in the mid‑1970s.

Founded as a response to the lack of technical education for displaced Palestinians, the Qalandiya Training Centre offers courses in carpentry, electrical work, plumbing and computer skills. Over the decades it has become a vital pathway for young Palestinians to acquire marketable trades, helping many secure employment in a region where job opportunities are limited. The school typically enrolls a steady cohort of students each year, many of whom travel from surrounding refugee camps to attend.

Israeli officials have justified the demolition order by citing alleged building violations and security concerns, stating that the structure lacks the necessary permits under municipal regulations. UNRWA, however, argues that the centre has operated continuously for more than four decades with tacit approval and that the move appears aimed at curbing the agency’s educational footprint in Jerusalem. The agency has appealed the decision, warning that closure would disrupt the livelihoods of hundreds of students and undermine long‑term economic stability for the refugee community.

The threat to Qalandiya comes amid a broader pattern of pressure on UNRWA facilities in the city. In recent years, several UNRWA offices and schools have faced similar restrictions, reducing the agency’s capacity to deliver essential services. Analysts note that the loss of the only vocational college would leave a significant gap in technical training for East Jerusalem’s Palestinian population.

International bodies and human‑rights groups have called on Israel to respect the right to education and to allow the centre to continue operating. UNRWA has urged the United Nations and donor nations to intervene, emphasizing that the school’s closure would not only affect current students but also erode decades of educational progress for the refugee community.