The future of education for thousands of Palestinian children hangs by a thread as UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, faces mounting challenges to its existence. The agency has served as a cornerstone in delivering education to Palestinian children in Gaza and the West Bank, providing a lifeline for over 300,000 students in Gaza and an additional 50,000 in the West Bank. However, recent legislative moves by Israel threaten the agency’s operations, raising concerns that Palestinian children may be stripped of their right to education without a viable alternative in place.
UNRWA’s Educational Reach in Gaza and the West Bank
UNRWA has played a pivotal role in ensuring that Palestinian children, many of whom have been affected by decades of conflict, receive a structured education. Before October 2023, the agency provided schooling to nearly half of Gaza’s school-age children. But with the closure of its schools, these children are now facing the possibility of missing a second consecutive year of schooling.
Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, emphasized the agency’s unique contribution on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. He highlighted that UNRWA is the only UN body in the region directly running schools that uphold UN standards and values. The UNRWA curriculum also includes a human rights component, which distinguishes it from other educational programs in the region and promotes tolerance, peace, and non-violence among young students.
Lazzarini pointed out that without UNRWA’s support, Palestinian children are at greater risk of being drawn into cycles of poverty, despair, and even extremism. Education is more than just classroom learning; for these children, it represents a chance to escape the oppressive conditions of poverty and marginalization. Losing this opportunity would be devastating for their future and could destabilize the region even further.
Legislative Obstacles: Israel’s Ban on UNRWA Operations
Tensions over UNRWA’s role in Palestinian territories have escalated with recent moves by the Israeli government to prohibit the agency from operating within Israel. The Israeli Parliament, on October 28, passed two pieces of legislation that bar UNRWA from carrying out its activities and restrict any contact between Israeli authorities and the agency. This legislative decision raises questions about the viability of the agency’s future operations and the fate of the students dependent on its services.
The implications of these legislative moves go beyond politics, as they directly impact the educational opportunities available to Palestinian children. If enforced, these laws could result in the dismantling of one of the few support systems for education that Palestinian communities have had access to over the past seven decades. For families in Gaza and the West Bank, this loss could create a vacuum with no clear replacement, leaving children without schools, teachers, or any semblance of educational stability.
UNRWA’s Human Rights Curriculum and the Fight Against Extremism
UNRWA schools are recognized for their human rights programs, which aim to instill principles of respect, tolerance, and peaceful conflict resolution among young learners. In a region marred by deep-seated tensions and violence, this focus on human rights education is crucial. UNRWA’s curriculum includes lessons on cultural understanding and human dignity, helping students to envision a future beyond conflict.
Critics argue that dismantling UNRWA would push many young Palestinians toward poverty and despair, creating fertile ground for extremism. By removing a key source of education, this demographic could become increasingly vulnerable to extremist influence, exacerbating the very problems that such policies seek to address. Experts and education advocates warn that removing UNRWA without an effective substitute could lead to a significant increase in social and political instability in the region.
The Economic Impact of Education on Palestinian Communities
Education is not only essential for personal growth but also a critical factor in economic resilience. For Palestinian families, education through UNRWA represents hope for better employment opportunities and financial independence. Educated young adults are more likely to find meaningful work and contribute to their communities, promoting economic growth within Gaza and the West Bank. Without access to UNRWA’s resources, families face further financial strain, deepening the cycle of poverty that has long afflicted the region.
In 2021-2022, the economic return on educational and humanitarian investments by UNRWA was estimated at around $14 for every $1 invested. This significant return underscores the agency’s role not only as an educational provider but as a catalyst for economic stability. Critics of the recent legislative decisions argue that closing off avenues for education will further weaken the economic prospects of Palestinian communities, leading to a downturn in living conditions and increased dependence on aid.
The Call for International Intervention and Cooperation
Amidst these challenges, Lazzarini urged the global community to focus on resolving the root causes of the ongoing conflict instead of dismantling UNRWA. “Instead of focusing on banning UNRWA or finding alternatives to it, the focus should be on reaching an agreement that ends the regional conflict,” he said.
International advocates and organizations are calling for diplomatic interventions to secure the future of Palestinian education. Without UNRWA, there is currently no other organization with the infrastructure, capacity, and cultural understanding required to fill the educational void it would leave. Experts argue that a multilateral effort, involving the UN, international donors, and regional stakeholders, is essential to ensure continuity in education for Palestinian children.
Potential Repercussions and a Path Forward
The situation for Palestinian education has reached a critical juncture. For children in Gaza and the West Bank, attending school is not just about learning—it is about survival, stability, and the chance for a life beyond the confines of conflict. Losing access to education would deepen despair among the youth and rob an entire generation of Palestinians of a brighter future.
A comprehensive solution may lie in establishing protections for UNRWA’s operations or developing an international framework that guarantees uninterrupted education for Palestinians. Such an initiative would require backing from the UN and its member states to ensure the educational rights of Palestinian children are upheld, regardless of political barriers.
For now, as long as the legislative bans and financial uncertainties loom, the children of Gaza and the West Bank face an uncertain educational future. The international community has a responsibility to support pathways to peace and prosperity for Palestinian families—starting with the right to learn.
