Background

The educational system for Palestinians in the Eastern part of Jerusalem has been deeply impacted by Israel’s colonial education practices and apartheid policies since the illegal annexation of the city. However, in recent years, there has been a notable shift in the approach towards Palestinian schools, transitioning from systematic neglect and chronic underfunding to persistent efforts of Israelization. Notably, the Israeli government has recently approved a five-year plan that allocates 800 million NIS to the education sector in East Jerusalem. This decision raises several questions regarding its underlying objectives, the process of Israelization, the interpretation of the right to education under international law in an occupied context, and the potential consequences for Palestinian children enrolled in schools in East Jerusalem.

In light of this our forthcoming webinar aims to address these questions and shed light on the right to education for Palestinians in East Jerusalem, with a specific focus on the challenges posed by Israel’s interventions in the occupied and illegally annexed city. The webinar will provide a platform for comprehensive discussions and analyses of the current situation of Palestinian schools in Jerusalem, as well as recent developments in the Israeli parliament. To provide a broader context, an insightful presentation on Israeli textbooks and curriculums will be included, highlighting the portrayal of Palestinians within these materials. The webinar will feature three panelists who will address three main issues, accompanied by a keynote speaker.