Ramallah: Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian students are facing significant educational disruptions as a result of Israel's ongoing conflict and financial measures. Following repeated warnings by the Palestinian Cabinet regarding the severe consequences of the Israeli war and the withholding of Palestinian clearance revenues, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced earlier this week the postponement of the 2025/2026 school year in the West Bank to Monday, September 8, 2025.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, these clearance revenues, collected by Israel on behalf of the Palestinian Authority as per signed agreements, account for more than two-thirds of the Palestinian Government's total income. These funds are crucial for maintaining essential public services such as education, healthcare, and social protection.
The decision to postpone the school year comes amid Israel's unlawful withholding of Palestinian clearance revenues, which now exceed 10 billion shekels. This suspension of financial transfers for the fourth consecutive month has hindered the Palestinian Government's ability to fulfill its commitments, including paying salaries to public employees, which is vital for sustaining national institutions and public services.
The Israeli financial measures have severely impacted Palestinian institutions, especially the education sector. The postponement affects over 623,000 students and more than 40,000 teachers in the West Bank, preventing them from commencing the school year as scheduled.
In Gaza, the situation is even more dire as Israel's extended military operations have left more than 700,000 students without access to education. This includes over 70,000 high school students who have been unable to take their final exams, jeopardizing their academic and professional futures.
The disruption of education for hundreds of thousands of Palestinian children highlights the gravity of the crisis facing the Palestinian people. These actions undermine the basic human rights of children, threatening their education, safety, and future in defiance of international law and community standards.
