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UNRWA warns of seizure
UNRWA warned that any unlawful closure or seizure of the Qalandia Training College by Israeli authorities would deprive Palestinian refugees of education and vocational training services provided under the agency’s mandate from the UN General Assembly.
“any unlawful closure or seizure of the Qalandia Training College by Israeli authorities”
UNRWA Director of Affairs in the West Bank Roland Friedrich said the college is UNRWA’s first and oldest vocational training institute, established more than 70 years ago, and he stressed it is a UN facility protected by privileges and immunities guaranteed under international law.
Friedrich said the entry of Israeli forces onto the premises without prior authorization constitutes a violation of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN, as UNRWA described escalating threats to evacuate the college and confiscate its buildings.
UNRWA said Israeli forces raided the campus five times since the beginning of the year, with the most significant raids occurring on Feb. 18, May 11, June 30 and July 27.
UNRWA said the Israelis detained around 80 students participating in training activities and 45 staff members, preventing them from leaving the campus without presenting official notices or documents.
Zoom briefing and raids
In a Zoom briefing during a field tour organized by the college, Roland Friedrich warned that illegal closure or seizure of the Qalandia College of Vocational Training would deprive Palestinian refugees of basic education and vocational training services.
Friedrich said the college has faced ongoing threats of closure and seizure for months and confirmed that its storming by the Israeli army without a permit or prior authorization constitutes a violation of the United Nations privileges and immunities agreement.
Abeer Ismail, acting director of UNRWA’s Media Office in the West Bank, said the college is the last UNRWA facility still operating in the eastern part of occupied Jerusalem and that the agency had not yet received any Israeli decision to close or confiscate the college.
Ismail explained that the Israeli law ordering the closure of UNRWA premises in Jerusalem came into effect more than a year ago, where UNRWA’s main headquarters in Sheikh Jarrah, its six schools in Jerusalem, and its clinics in Shuafat refugee camp and the Old City were closed.
UNRWA said students and staff continued to enroll and operate as usual, while Ismail stressed there was no contact whatsoever between UNRWA and the Israeli side.
What UNRWA says is at risk
UNRWA said the Qalandia Training College is located north of occupied Jerusalem opposite Qalandia refugee camp, covering 88 dunums, and it currently serves around 270 students enrolled in 16 vocational specialties.
“currently serves around 270 students enrolled in 16 vocational specialties”
Friedrich said the college enrolls hundreds of Palestine refugee students from across the occupied West Bank each year, aged between 15 and 19, providing free vocational education, particularly given the difficult social and economic conditions facing refugees.
UNRWA said the institute also provides dormitory accommodation, nursing services, counseling, awareness programs, and vocational guidance, and it graduates between 250 and 300 students annually.
The warnings came as UNRWA said the Israeli Knesset passed two laws in October 2024, one banning UNRWA’s activities in areas under what Israel defines as its sovereignty and the other prohibiting official contact with the agency.
UNRWA said the college’s situation is tied to repeated raids, including a July 27 raid when Israeli forces detained about 80 students and 45 staff members and prevented them from leaving without handing them notices or official documents.
