Education International (EI) renews its call for solidarity to support Palestinian teachers in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank as they continue to advocate for their students despite unprecedented military attacks, catastrophic living conditions, and widespread starvation. In addition, teachers in Gaza and the West Bank have not received their salaries since November 2023, due to the withholding of tax funds by the Israeli Government.
Working through EI member organisations, the General Union of Palestinian Teachers (GUPT), the General Union of Workers in Kindergartens and Private Schools (GUWKPS) and the Palestinian Federation of Unions of University Professors and Employees (PFUUPE), EI has mobilised its membership to provide essential support. Through the donations from 40 member organisations across 30 countries, EI has provided direct support to teachers as well as socio-emotional training to help students and teachers in Gaza and the West Bank. Despite the challenges, Saed Erziqat and Ferduz Al-Khawaja, General Secretaries of GUPT and GUWKPS, respectively, have worked tirelessly to support teacher unionists in need.
International solidarity and advocacy
With the support of EI member organisations, GUPT has used its database of members to identify and aid 1,077 teachers (913 in Gaza, 164 in the West Bank), provide emotional support to 2,000 children in Rafah (Gaza) and delivered online social-emotional training to 64 West Bank teachers.
The Palestinian union leaders also stress that the international show of solidarity has bolstered teachers’ trust in their union, positioning EI affiliates in Palestine as advocates for human rights and the rule of law.
The commitment of EI members was further emphasised during the recent 10th Education International World Congress where the Resolution ‘ Starvation in Gaza: Call for Immediate Action’ was adopted.
The EI resolution calls for immediate action to address the escalating starvation in Gaza, where famine is spreading across the entire Strip. It also emphasised the impact of the war on teachers, education support personnel, and students, as well as the destruction of education infrastructure in Gaza.
Call to international community
The Congress resolution on Gaza also calls for the urgent implementation of the UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate and lasting ceasefire, along with the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, action to prevent forced displacement, and the recognition of the rights of Palestinian people.
In addition to direct support and in line with the resolution, Education International has formally addressed a request to the Secretary-General of the United Nations calling on the international community, under the UN leadership, to take immediate and decisive action to:
- Secure an immediate and sustained ceasefire, end forced displacement, and ensure the reopening of all land crossings, especially the Rafah crossing;
- Facilitate the release of all hostages;
- Expedite investigations into allegations of crimes against humanity;
- Enforce the implementation of international law and recent UN resolutions;
- Protect education, recognising schools as safe zones;
- Prioritise rebuilding Gaza’s education infrastructure;
- Establish a Global Fund for Teachers’ Salaries in crisis-affected regions, consistent with the recommendations of the UN High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession;
- Recognise Palestine as a State to implement the “two-state solution” for lasting peaceful coexistence in the region.
Also in Buenos Aires, the 10th Education International World Congress adopted several resolutions in solidarity with educators and students affected by war and armed conflict and calling for the protection of schools as safe sanctuaries. Education unionists from all regions also highlighted the role of education in building world peace and justice and called on governments to prioritise education over military spending.