Arab League Calls for Arab and International Action to Save Palestinian Education from Destruction and Erasure

Cairo --- The Arab League called on Sunday for a serious and comprehensive Arab and international move to save the Palestinian education sector from destruction, distortion, and erasure resulting from the widespread violations and damage inflicted by the Israeli occupation authorities, particularly in the Gaza Strip. This came in a statement by Ambassador Fa’id Mustafa, Assistant Secretary-General for the Palestinian and Occupied Arab Lands Sector at the Arab League, during the opening of the 112th session of the Committee for Educational Programs Targeted at Arab Students in the Occupied Arab Lands, attended by education officials from the relevant Arab countries.

Mustafa stated that protecting Palestinian education from destruction, distortion, and erasure represents a legal, moral, and humanitarian commitment that requires serious Arab and international action, emphasizing the necessity of moving beyond traditional expressions of regret and solidarity to practical and comprehensive steps to save this sector. He added that the committee’s role extends beyond discussing educational programs and curricula; it is linked to an Arab responsibility toward the Palestinian people’s right to education, protecting their national identity, preserving their collective memory, and ensuring the future of their generations.

He clarified that the Palestinian education sector, especially in Gaza, is facing widespread destruction, depriving hundreds of thousands of students of their basic right to education. He stressed that the destruction of schools and universities, the denial of students’ access to classrooms, and the prevention of teachers from fulfilling their mission represent not only material losses but also threaten the future of an entire generation.

He pointed to the continued violations by the Israeli occupation in occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, as well as settlers’ attacks on Palestinian cities and towns, arson, destruction of property, imposition of closures, and campaigns of arrest and forced displacement.

He affirmed that supporting Palestinian education must be a continuous Arab commitment, not tied to a passing event or a single meeting session, and called on the committee to double its efforts, enhance coordination among relevant Arab and international institutions, and develop educational and media programs that document the reality of education under occupation and support the resilience of students and teachers.

The five-day session is examining ways to develop educational, radio, television, and electronic programs targeted at Arab students in the occupied territories, keeping pace with the violations suffered by the education sector under occupation, while monitoring the production, broadcasting, reception, and challenges facing these programs. It also discusses mechanisms for coordinating and developing radio, television, and electronic exchanges among relevant parties, reviews the report of the Listening and Viewing Committee, and examines training and qualification files to contribute to enhancing the committee’s performance and developing its media and educational mission. (End) M.M. / S.M.A.