Dozens of private schools in east Jerusalem have suspended classes after an Israeli decision to limit the days on which work permits are granted for teachers from the occupied West Bank, Palestinian officials said Tuesday. East Jerusalem schools suspend classes after Israel restricts permits The strike was called by the General Secretariat of Christian Educational Institutions in Jerusalem and later joined by all private schools in east Jerusalem. The move affects around 20,000 students, including 8,500 pupils in 15 Christian schools, according to Richard Zananiri, director of the private St George’s School. The General Secretariat said 171 teachers and staff members are affected by the Israeli measure. Zananiri said this represents more than half of the roughly 300 teachers employed across all private schools in the city. COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body responsible for Palestinian civilian affairs, did not offer an immediate response. The Secretariat described the measure as “arbitrary”. Zananiri said the problem began when Israel initially excluded Saturdays from teacher permits. Following objections, permits were restored for Saturdays but then excluded Fridays …