Palestinian Students Under Occupation

"Dedicated to the young Palestinian heroes resisting occupation with their books and pencils"

ISRAEL DENIES THE PALESTINIANS RIGHT TO EDUCATION

The systematic obstruction and destruction of education in the West Bank and Gaza by the Israeli military occupation not only violates the human rights of individuals, it is an attack on the development of the Palestinian society.

CLOSURE OF PALESTINIAN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS During the First Intifada, between 1987 and 1992, Palestinian education was effectively made illegal by the Israeli occupation and all Palestinian universities, schools and even kindergartens were closed down by military order for nearly five years. Since September 2000, tens of schools have been closed by the Israeli Army and turned into military barracks, while hundreds more have been forced to close periodically due to prolonged curfew and obstructed access. Hebron University and the Palestine Polytechnic University were closed down by military order for 8 months in 2003, denying over 6000 students their right to education.

ISRAEL'S APARTHEID WALL

• The Wall isolates and divides Palestinian population centers, cutting students off from their schools and universities and literally bulldozing through educational institutions in its path.

• The waiting time at checkpoints can vary from a couple of minutes to several hours and the checking of IDs in public transport makes it impossible to be sure of arriving at school on time.

• If the students are on time, the teacher might not be in the classroom yet because of problems related to crossing the wall's checkpoints.

CHECKPOINTS IN THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES

• The Ministry of Education reports that many students are victims of beatings, insults, and cursing while crossing checkpoints. Students' fear has escalated so high that thousands have either dropped out of school or postponed their education.



• Grassroots partner, the Gaza Community Mental Health Program, states: ''It will be impossible to build a healthy society that participates in decision-making and contributes towards development without education. Furthermore, sound mental health cannot be attained with a combination of ignorance and occupation. The root of the problem is the occupation and it must be ended as a first step towards solving its consequences."

INTERNATIONAL LAW AND THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, l948

Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. (Article 26)

Fourth Geneva Convention, 1949

The occupying power shall, with the cooperation of the national and local authorities, facilitate the proper working of all institutions devoted to the care and education of children. (Article 50)

United Nations Committee on Economic, Social Rights, General Comments on the Implementation of ICESCR Right to Education, 1999

The right to education can only be enjoyed if accompanied by the academic freedom of staff and students. (General comment 13, 38)

WE CALL UPON EVERYONE TO CONDEMN ISRAEL'S ILLEGAL OCCUPATION AND TO SUPPORT THE PALESTINIANS' RIGHT TO EDUCATION

Click on the images below to get a printing-quality leaflet containing the above information. Alternatively, you can find a PDF file here

My friend and I prepared this material for your use. Feel free to print them or reblog the post and spread the message

(copyrights are NOT protected)

Please give it few minutes of your time.

Together we can make the difference