Commenting on the passing of motion 34 at Annual Conference in Harrogate, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“Over the past 16 months, the NEU has called repeatedly for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
“We have watched in horror as Israel’s deadly attacks on Gaza have resumed, hostages have remained in captivity and attacks on Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have escalated.
“The NEU works with trade unions around the world on access to education, addressing teacher shortages and education in conflict zones. These issues are acute and urgent in Palestine. 17,400 children have been killed during Israel’s war on Gaza and access to learning for other young people destroyed.
“The occupied Palestinian territory is the deadliest place on earth to be a child. Those whose have survived the relentless bombardment of Gaza since October 2023 have experienced unprecedented harm and more lives are threatened from the denial of access to lifesaving aid and clean water. Over 95% of schools are damaged or destroyed – forcing children to miss out on their education for a second year which creates a dangerous legacy.
“A lasting ceasefire is the only way to end the bloodshed, ensure the safe release of hostages and create the peace necessary to negotiate a sustainable settlement. We urge the UK Government to ensure international law is complied with, that the siege of Gaza is ended; that the Israeli hostages are released; and that attacks by Israeli settlers and armed forces in the West Bank are halted permanently.”
Editor’s Note
As of 23 March 2025, at least 50,021 Palestinians – including 17,492 children - have been killed in Gaza according to health officials.
- As of 7 February 2025, at least 224 children have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers since January 2023, accounting for nearly half of the 468 children killed in the West Bank since records began in 2005, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
- As of February 2025, approximately 95.2% of 564 school buildings in Gaza have suffered damage according to NGO-led occupied Palestinian territory Education Cluster