Israel's economic measures have drastically reduced schooling in the West Bank to three days a week while salaries are cut to 60%, driven by the policies of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
The article discusses the severe impact of Israel's economic policies on the education system in the West Bank, where children are only able to attend school three days a week. This situation is exacerbated by the financial hold Israel has placed on the Palestinian Authority, particularly through the actions of Bezalel Smotrich, the influential Finance Minister who opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state. Families like that of 10-year-old twins Muhamad and Ahmed al Hajj have seen their educational opportunities severely limited, as their school in Nablus has been forced to operate on a restricted schedule due to these financial constraints.
The financial crisis faced by public education in the West Bank is attributed to Israel’s ongoing economic war against the Palestinian Authority, which has been intensifying for years. The article highlights how this economic warfare is not merely a political maneuver but also an effort to undermine the viability of Palestinian governance and social structures. The narrative follows the experience of the al Hajj family, who struggle with the implications of their sons having to spend half the week isolated at home, highlighting the broader social impact of these economic policies on Palestinian children, their families, and communities.
Overall, the plight of students and families in the West Bank underlines the urgent need for international attention towards the humanitarian and educational crises resulting from the Israeli economic policies. The article calls into question the future of education for Palestinian children and the potential long-term implications for societal development in the region, as the combination of reduced educational engagement and economic instability could have devastating effects on the next generation.
