Knesset Education Committee Chairman MK Zvi Sukkot conducted a surprise inspection today (Thursday) at the Nur al-Huda School in the Shuafat neighborhood of East Jerusalem. The visit was part of an ongoing series of oversight inspections the committee is conducting in the city’s Arab education system.
2+During the visit, a confrontation erupted between Sukkot and the school’s principal, Hamza Qaisi. Sukkot presented the principal with documentation showing him soliciting funds for an organization identified with Hamas. When confronted with the evidence and accusations, the principal refused to answer questions and chose to flee into the school grounds.
The visit followed an investigation by the ‘Hakol Hayehudi’ (The Jewish voice) news site, which revealed that the school is connected to the “Amsah Damaat al-Yatim” association, managed by figures affiliated with “Zakat al-Quds”—an organization recognized by the court as being identified with Hamas and currently undergoing dissolution proceedings.
2+According to the findings, the school’s principal, Qaisi, holds positions in associations linked to this organization, and has previously acknowledged in official publications that he received financial assistance for the institution from entities defined as banned organizations. It is further alleged that the school building was constructed from donations raised by terror operatives, and that figures who openly supported terrorism participated in the dedication ceremony.
“There is no extraterritoriality in the State of Israel,” declared Sukkot at the end of the inspection. “We will not give a hand to terror and will not allow a situation where educational institutions in Jerusalem operate under the patronage, financing, or influence of entities identified with Hamas. Anyone who thinks they can introduce extremist ideology into the education system while simultaneously enjoying recognition or budgets from the State of Israel—is mistaken.”
2+Sukkot announced he will immediately contact the Education and Defense ministries demanding they examine all contracts with the institution and ensure that public funds are not flowing to institutions with ties to terror organizations.
‘Hakol Hayehudi’ responded: “We warned about Hamas institutions in Jerusalem being funded by the State of Israel already four years ago. We provided extensive materials to the Israel Police as well, and we hope the authorities will wake up and act not only in Gaza but also against Hamas institutions located in the heart of Jerusalem.”
“A child who grows up in a Hamas school is the terrorist of the future,” Sukkot emphasized. “We will not allow terror to penetrate the education system in Jerusalem.”