UN Commission Condemns Israel's Destruction of Palestinian Education System

The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory has released a report condemning Israel's destruction of Gaza's education system and over half of its religious and cultural sites. The commission found that Israeli occupation forces committed war crimes, including directing attacks against civilians and willful killing, resulting in the destruction of more than 90 percent of school and university buildings in Gaza. This has left over 658,000 children without education for 20 months.

Key Takeaways:

• Israeli occupation forces have destroyed Gaza's education system, leaving over 658,000 children without education for 20 months.
• More than 90 percent of school and university buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, making education impossible.
• Israeli occupation forces have committed war crimes, including directing attacks against civilians and willful killing, resulting in civilian casualties.
• The commission found evidence that Israeli soldiers recorded and distributed videos mocking Palestinians and their education before destroying schools and universities.
• Israeli occupation forces have seized and used educational facilities as military bases or staging areas for military activity.
• In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the education system has suffered from increasing military operations, harassment of students, and an increase in checkpoints, demolitions, and settler attacks, affecting over 806,000 Palestinian students.
• The commission called on Israeli occupation authorities to halt settlement activity, cease attacks on educational, religious, and cultural institutions, and end the unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory.

Statistics:

• Over 658,000 children in Gaza have had no schooling for 20 months.
• More than 90 percent of school and university buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed.
• Over 806,000 Palestinian students in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have been affected by increasing military operations, harassment, and settler attacks.
• The commission documented several cases of burning and demolition of educational facilities by Israeli occupation forces.
• Israeli security forces have recorded and distributed videos mocking Palestinians and their education before destroying schools and universities.

Sources:

• United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory
• Kuwait News Agency
• The United Nations Human Rights Council
• Navi Pillay, Chair of the Commission