Qalandia: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has issued a warning regarding the potential unlawful closure or seizure of the Qalandia Training College by Israeli authorities. Such actions, according to UNRWA, would significantly impact the education and vocational training services essential for Palestine refugees, as mandated by the UN General Assembly.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the warning was delivered by UNRWA Director of Affairs in the West Bank, Roland Friedrich, during an online briefing. This briefing was part of a media tour organized by the college to showcase its contributions and the ongoing threats it faces from Israeli authorities.
Friedrich emphasized the historical significance of Qalandia Training College as UNRWA's first and oldest vocational training institute, established over 70 years ago. The college has been instrumental in graduating thousands of Palestine refugees who have contributed to local and regional labor markets. He highlighted that the college is a United Nations facility, protected by privileges and immunities under international law.
He further explained that the college enrolls hundreds of Palestine refugee students annually, aged between 15 and 19, providing free vocational education amidst challenging social and economic conditions. Recent months have seen increasing threats from Israeli authorities to close and seize the college premises, with Friedrich noting that any unauthorized entry by Israeli forces violates the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
The warning comes in the context of escalating threats from Israeli authorities, who have raided the college campus five times this year. The most notable raids occurred on February 18, May 11, June 30, and July 27, during which Israeli forces detained around 80 students and 45 staff members without presenting official notices or documents.
During the media tour, participants were given an overview of the college's facilities, vocational programs, and training services offered to students from refugee camps. The college, located north of occupied Jerusalem opposite the Qalandia refugee camp, spans 88 dunums and serves approximately 270 students across 16 vocational specialties, with annual graduation rates between 250 and 300 students.
In a significant development, the Israeli Knesset passed two laws in October 2024: one banning UNRWA's activities in areas defined by Israel as its sovereignty and another prohibiting official contact with the agency.