Israel Undermines Palestinian Education System, Rights Group Claims
A new report by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) alleges that Israel is actively working to suppress and dismantle the Palestinian education system in the West Bank, contrary to international law which obligates the occupying power to ensure the proper functioning of educational institutions. The report, titled "Without a School Routine: The Harm to the Right to Education of Palestinian Children in the West Bank," details how Israel allegedly restricts movement, conducts military raids on schools, allows settler violence against students and facilities, demolishes schools, and withholds funds from the Palestinian Authority, preventing salary payments to teachers.
Since October 2023, Israel has reportedly intensified movement restrictions in the West Bank, increasing checkpoints and implementing frequent closures, leading to significantly longer travel times for students. For example, the closure of the Tayasir checkpoint in the northern West Bank forces 140 students and educators to take a detour that adds approximately 90 minutes to their commute, often facing additional delays or closures at alternative checkpoints.
During the 2024-2025 school year, the report documents 2,040 incidents of military violence against the education system, impacting around 85,000 students. This includes the destruction of 109 schools, the deaths of 85 students and three teachers, hundreds of injuries, and 149 student arrests. The report also highlights instances of settler violence, including attacks on teachers, vandalism of classrooms, and the destruction of schools in areas like Jericho and the Jordan Valley.
Financially, the report states that Israel's withholding and delaying of funds to the Palestinian Authority has created a severe financial crisis, preventing regular salary payments to teachers. This has led to reduced in-person schooling, with some teachers working voluntarily to provide lessons and others struggling to teach effectively due to exhaustion from taking on additional work.
ACRI asserts that these actions are part of a broader pattern of undermining Palestinian education, extending to Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the Arab education system within Israel. The report is based on testimonies from residents and data from international organizations, including the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
