Israeli Closures Leave 800 Palestinian Students Without Education

The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict is severely impacting education and political discourse related to the Palestinian struggle. In the UK, the National Education Union (NEU) has sparked controversy by encouraging teachers to advocate for Palestine in schools, prompting legal concerns over potential violations of impartiality laws and accusations of promoting pro-Palestinian propaganda, which the NEU denies. Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israeli authorities have forcibly closed several UN-run schools, disrupting education for over 800 Palestinian children and raising international criticism over the denial of their right to learn. The humanitarian toll on Gaza’s children is devastating, with thousands killed, injured, or orphaned amid a blockade that limits medical supplies and basic needs, drastically lowering life expectancy. Despite widespread destruction of schools and universities in Gaza, educators and students persist in striving to continue learning under dire conditions, viewing education as a form of resistance. These developments highlight the intersection of education, human rights, and political activism amid the broader conflict.