Union condemns treatment of education leaders on Palestine visit

The delegation, which included UCU general secretary Jo Grady, NEU president Ed Harlow, the general secretary of Education International, and leaders of education unions from across the world, was travelling at the invitation of the General Union of Palestinian Teachers. 

The visit had planned to include various meetings and activities to show the state of education in the area and show solidarity with Palestinian educators, who continue to provide education under the extreme conditions of the occupying Israeli regime.   

The delegation was held by Israeli authorities, interrogated for five hours at the border, had their passports confiscated and eventually denied entry to the country. 

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Children and students in Palestine deserve access to education and educators should be safe to teach and research, without fear and oppression. Blocking an international education delegation won't stop the world seeing the devastating loss of life in Gaza, nor the destruction of its education system. And it won't stop us showing solidarity with the children and educators of Palestine.   

'While our delegation experienced inconvenience, this was nothing compared to the daily harassment and conditions of Palestinians. UCU stands in solidarity with Palestinian teachers, students, their unions and with the Palestinian people.'