The European Community is applying strong pressure on Israel to reopen Palestinian schools in West Bank and Gaza Strip, which were shut down as a security measure.
The 12 E.C. member states, currently chaired by Spain, issued a joint statement here Wednesday night expressing their “serious concern” over the “persistent decision” of the Israeli authorities to keep the schools closed.
The statement called on the Israelis to “reconsider urgently” their policy of shutting down schools, including those run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees.
Arab universities, high schools and elementary schools have been closed during most of the 17 months of the Palestinian uprising, by order of the Israeli military authorities.
The stated reason was that the schools, particularly high schools and colleges, were hotbeds of Palestinian nationalism and the source of violent demonstrations.
The E.C. statement read: “The Twelve consider that this measure, which is contrary to the basic right to education, threatens the future of a whole generation of young Palestinians.
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