Palestine is the world’s longest-standing human rights crisis. Over many years of solidarity work with Palestinian educators and human rights organisations, the NEU has developed significant knowledge and solidarity work among NEU members. We have strong and sustained partnerships with organisations in Palestine, including our sister union, the General Union of Palestinian Teachers (GUPT).
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza
Palestinian children have borne the brunt of Israel’s war on Gaza, facing intense and widespread bombardment, famine and displacement.
Children have been exposed to extreme levels of violence, loss and constant fear and have experienced psychological distress and trauma. They have lost their classmates, their teachers, their schools, and their sense of safety.
Over 20,000 children have been killed, 50,000 injured, and at least 17,000 orphaned of both parents.
Despite the much-welcome ceasefire, life-saving humanitarian aid is still not able to enter and move freely throughout Gaza. UNRWA and relief agencies must be allowed to continue their vital work proving humanitarian support and assistance to the Palestinian people.
Sustained military operations following the fragile ceasefire also continue to gravely disrupt the education of Palestinian children.
Since the escalation of the conflict in October 2023, the NEU has made several significant financial contributions to humanitarian relief efforts. Our joint fundraising appeal with Save the Children to support its vital humanitarian work in Gaza raised more than £156,000.
Education under attack in Gaza
Education has been at a halt in Gaza since October 2023. The NGO-led occupied Palestinian territory Education Cluster, reports that over 97% of schools have been damaged or destroyed, and more than 680 teachers killed. UN human rights experts have described the systemic destruction of the Palestinian education system as a ‘scholasticide’.
Over 100 public schools are currently sheltering displaced families, while many schools remain inaccessible due to debris and insecurity. Educational materials – including pens, paper and books – are also prohibited from entering Gaza due to the blockade.
The learning loss and destruction of the education system in Gaza are unprecedented, exacerbating the already critical mental health crisis among children and youth.
Rebuilding education for Gaza’s future
It is expected that the Government of Egypt will imminently co-host an international conference for the reconstruction of Gaza. The Cairo Reconstruction Conference will seek to mobilise resources to advance the recovery and rebuilding of Gaza.
Rebuilding Gaza’s education system is not only a humanitarian necessity but an investment in peace, stability, and the future of the region.
The NEU is urging the UK Government to lead financially and diplomatically to support the rebuilding of Gaza at the scale and speed required, including prioritisation of the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza’s devastated education system.
Read the NEU’s policy briefing on rebuilding education for Gaza’s future.
Attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank
In the occupied West Bank, Israeli military operations, settler violence, settlement-expansion, evictions, demolitions and threats of annexation combine in a toxic mix of oppression to blight the lives of the Palestinian people.
Access to education is also severely disrupted for 782,000 students. The Education Cluster has identified that 84 schools are under pending demolitions orders, and hundreds more face access restrictions and frequent attacks on students and staff.
Palestinian teachers have lost over 15 months of salary due to Israel’s withholding of tax revenue from the Palestinian Authority.
Solidarity Actions
- Donate to the DEC Middle East Appeal
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) brings together 15 leading UK aid charities to work as a united front in times of crisis, with one shared mission – to help as many children and families as possible.
DEC charities and their local partners are providing lifesaving aid in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank and Syria, but urgently need more funds.
Any support that districts or members can provide to the appeal will make a significant difference.
Donate to the DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal.
- Support teachers in Gaza and Palestine
The NEU is proud to support Education International’s (EI) solidarity fund for teachers in Gaza and Palestine. The fund is providing direct assistance to teachers affected by the war, as well as supporting the General Union of Palestinian Teachers (GUPT) to organise training sessions for members to provide emotional support to their students who are traumatised by the war.
Districts and members can donate to the Solidarity Fund here: Education International ING Bank 24, Avenue Marnix 1000 Brussels IBAN: BE05 3101 0061 7075 Swift: BBRUBEBB With the indication: Humanitarian Assistance Appeal 2023/11. Please do not include the word ‘Palestine’ in labelling your payment, as banks are suspicious of bank transfers to zones at war or undergoing political instability.
- Support our partner organisations in Palestine
The NEU works closely with a number of partner organisations on human rights issues in Palestine, including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), the Nina Franklin Fund, the Hebron International Resource Network (HIRN), and the Hands Up Project.
We encourage districts to support the vital work of these key partner organisations, including by affiliating with them and making financial contributions.
- Attend national and local actions for Palestine
The NEU has been a leading presence at every National Demolition for Palestine since October 2023. Districts and members also continue to support a range of local actions in their communities.
NEU Districts and branches are encouraged to attend national and local actions for Palestine and to promote these with NEU members.
Details of forthcoming events can be found on the PSC website.