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The Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education announced, Thursday, about 350 Palestinian children are currently held in Israeli jails.
This statement was made in a statement by the ministry on the eve of Palestinian Prisoners’ Day, which falls on 17 April of every year.
The ministry stated the arrest of students and their denial of their right to education constitutes a systematic policy pursued by Israel, which continues to target them.
The ministry affirmed that the issue of prisoners “will remain present in the conscience of the Palestinian people and at the heart of the educational mission, especially with the continued targeting of students.”
It explained approximately 350 children are being held in Israeli prisons under “harsh conditions that violate international laws and conventions,” and are subjected to policies including nighttime arrests, harsh interrogations, solitary confinement, denial of education, medical neglect, and ill-treatment.
It added that based on documented testimonies, a number of children were arrested from their homes at night, handcuffed and blindfolded, while others were prevented from continuing their education and detained in conditions lacking the most basic necessities.
These practices are a “flagrant violation” of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and that the targeting of students are not isolated incident, but part of a policy to undermine their awareness and future.
Ministry officials stress the arrest of students constitutes a “direct attack” on Palestinian education system and an attempt to sabotage the future of generations, affirming their continued support for imprisoned students and commitment to strengthening their resilience.
Further, they called on international and human rights organizations to assume their responsibilities and work to stop the violations, demanding the immediate release of all prisoners, especially children and school students, and ensuring their safe return to their studies.
The Ministry affirmed that education will remain a “tool for survival and development” despite the challenges.
Palestinians commemorate “Prisoners’ Day” every year with events and marches in solidarity with prisoners in Israeli jails. This day was designated by the Palestinian National Council in 1974.
More than 9,600 Palestinians are currently imprisoned in Israel, including 350 children and 73 women. They suffer torture, starvation, and medical neglect, which has led to the deaths of dozens, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights organizations. Anadolu
