Palestinian Cabinet urges UN to protect UNRWA schools in Jerusalem following Israeli occupation military closure orders

RAMALLAH, April 8, 2025 (Prime Minister's Office) - The Palestinian Cabinet has reiterated its continued engagement and ongoing intensive efforts with various international parties to halt the systematic crimes committed by the Israeli occupation authorities, particularly in light of the escalating genocide in the Gaza Strip. This includes the targeting of displaced persons’ tents, media crews, humanitarian teams, and the accelerating annexation and Judaization schemes, as well as the escalating settler violence across the West Bank, including occupied Jerusalem.

During its weekly session in Ramallah, the Cabinet emphasized that mere statements and condemnations from the international community are no longer sufficient. The scale, severity, and gravity of the Israeli aggression demand immediate and concrete international action, foremost among which is the activation of accountability mechanisms to end the impunity that the Israeli occupation continues to enjoy.

In a related context, the Cabinet called on the United Nations to assume its legal and moral responsibilities by protecting the institutions of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Jerusalem. The call follows a recent Israeli military order to shut down the UNRWA girls’ school in the Shuafat refugee camp within 30 days—after similar closures of UNRWA schools in Silwan, Wadi al-Joz, and Sur Baher. These actions represent a blatant attempt to dismantle Jerusalem’s educational and service infrastructure and to impose illegal facts on the ground in direct violation of international law and international legitimacy resolutions.

Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa stressed President Mahmoud Abbas’s directives to the diplomatic corps and all government institutions to intensify their efforts in serving the Palestinian people and advancing their just cause.

He also briefed the Cabinet on the agenda for the upcoming high-level meeting between Palestine and the European Union, set to take place in Brussels for the first time. The Prime Minister will meet with EU officials and the foreign ministers of 27 European countries to discuss ways to enhance joint cooperation and mobilize political and financial support for Palestine.

Furthermore, the Cabinet approved, among other decisions, a financial settlement to formalize the debts of 46 local councils related to electricity and water services. This is part of the Government’s initiative to ensure sound financial management, thus ensuring the sustainability and good governance for local authorities. The total debts of these councils amounted to approximately 400 million shekels as of June 30, 2024. This also falls within the broader effort to address the issue of net lending through financial settlements with companies and local authorities—contributing significantly to improving the governance of local government authorities.

The Ministry of Finance’s Net Lending Unit, in cooperation with the Ministry of Local Government and the Energy and Water Authorities, continues to pursue similar settlements with additional councils to enhance the governance of local government authorities, thereby improving financial stability and public service delivery.

Achieving these financial settlements will enhance the governance of municipalities, increase their share of development projects, and grant them the authority to directly collect property taxes. This, in turn, will boost local authorities' revenues and improve their capacity to deliver better-quality services to citizens.

In line with the Government’s reform agenda, the Cabinet also approved the transfer of authority over electricity interconnection points from distribution companies, municipalities, and local councils to the Palestinian Electricity Transmission Company. This step is intended to strengthen the governance of local government bodies and enhance service quality while advancing the Government’s program to transition to alternative energy sources and reduce dependence on the Israeli occupation.

This move will support public finance reform by bolstering domestic resources and reducing vulnerability to Israeli blackmail through the illegal withholding of Palestinian clearance revenues.

Additionally, the Cabinet approved two agreements—recommended by the Energy Authority—to begin preparations for the construction of the Jenin Power Plant. In its first phase, the plant will provide approximately 25% of the West Bank’s electricity consumption, with production eventually reaching 265 megawatts—covering nearly 40% of the West Bank’s needs. The facility is expected to be operational within three years as part of the Government’s broader Energy Security Initiative aimed at localizing power production.

Preparations are also underway for the development of another power plant in the Hebron Governorate as part of the Government’s broader vision under the Energy Security Initiative to further strengthen Palestinian energy independence and resilience.

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