Who deserves education?
The recent attack on October 1st of Israel by Iran brought forth an immediate global conversation about war and ethics. The irony? It was Iran being condemned. Iran, whose 180 ballistic missiles killed just one (Palestinian) man. Honestly, ironic as it may be, its not very surprising- the powers that be do have a tendency to sweep under the rug anything that aligns with their interests (*cough* Israel's mass destruction and ethnic cleansing).
One of the primary arguments that was being made repeatedly was the fact that a school had been damaged in Tel Aviv. Everyone was so quick to catch onto the fact- everyone was reporting it and commenting on it. Destroying a school? Sacrilegious.
Nobody is saying that the destruction of this school is a good thing. What people are saying is that if this is the response to the destruction of one school with no casualties, why do International organizations and governments have the same outcry about the destruction in Palestine?
There is no definitive, publicly accessible data on the exact number of schools destroyed by Israel, but numerous reports by human rights organizations and international bodies have documented school damage and destruction in Gaza and the West Bank due to Israeli military operations. Simply the fact that there are no official numbers and that all information is being brought through Palestinians reporting from on ground through official or unofficial platforms is enough to show the gravity of the situation- quite simply; noone who SHOULD care does.
In 2024, no students in Gaza graduated.
Let that sink in.
People should be more disturbed by this statement than they are.
Why is it that when a school in Israel is hit, the world shouts in outrage, but when Palestinian schools are reduced to rubble, there’s silence? Where’s the global uproar when Palestinian children are denied their basic right to an education? This blatant double standard is sickening. The destruction of schools in Gaza is not just collateral damage—it’s a systemic stripping of their future. Why don’t Palestinian children get the same global sympathy?
For children, education is more than just a means of learning math, science, or history. It’s a source of stability, hope, and normalcy. It provides a safe space and a sense of future during uncertain times. Despite international recognition of the right to education, millions of Palestinian children have had to leave their schools because of either them being destroyed, having to evacuate, or the children themselves being brutally killed.
Israel’s relentless assault on Gaza’s educational infrastructure has resulted in the complete disruption of schooling, leaving a whole generation of Palestinians without access to education. All schools, universities, or training centers in Gaza have remained closed since the beginning of the ongoing genocide. Rebuilding these institutions is a challenge that will take years, if not decades, further hindering the educational aspirations of Gaza’s youth. In an interview with Al Mezan, Mr. Farid Abu Athra, UNRWA’s Chief of Education Program in Gaza, said that the educational losses experienced by Palestinian students over the past ten months are irreparable. This has been given a term- "scholasticide". Israel can never just stop at one thing, can they.
Is aid not supposed to be neutral? Why is it so entangled in politics that one blurs the lines between strategic gain and straight up inhumane? And why do the actions of a select few in power have to determine the course of the world?
It is frustrating to see the injustice unfolding in front of our eyes and the growing awareness of the fact that the pillars of the modern world (the UN and such organizations that we hold in such high regard) are just a facade in the hands of the global superpowers. There is work being done on education in conflict-affected areas, yes, but how useful is it if it is not being implemented there? Are these organizations only working for the rights of certain children? Do others not deserve education? What is the metric by which one decides which lives are more valuable than others?
Angelina Jolie perfectly captures some of the feelings that have been consuming the world's population recently.
As the world plunges into near-disaster and speculations of World War III, one truth surfaces- the hypocrisy of the West and the ineffectiveness of the so-called organizations of peace. Just as the League of Nations rose and fell, could this conflict see the downfall of the United Nations?
Appendix...?
this is a song that is very relevant to this blog and to my feelings about war in general.. do give it a listen and focus on the lyrics. conflict is so arbitrary its such a shame that people have to fight and not live with love.. everyone is the same inside truly and its so unfortunate that some lives are considered better than others and for what? self made notions?
Your post compellingly exposes the profound disparities in global responses to the destruction of educational institutions, particularly regarding the situations in Israel and Palestine. The concept of "scholasticide" effectively conveys the dire consequences for future generations of Palestinian children. It’s crucial to remember that education serves as a vital foundation for hope and stability in conflict zones. The lack of outrage over the obliteration of Palestinian schools reveals a troubling bias in how narratives are prioritized. Advocacy for the rights of Palestinian children must gain greater visibility to challenge this silence. Moreover, supporting grassroots initiatives that strive to maintain educational access in these regions could be a vital step toward equity. Your analysis prompts a necessary dialogue about the value…
I completely agree with the sentiment that education is a basic right, and the global response to its destruction in Palestine vs. Israel reveals disturbing double standards.
You mention "scholasticide" and the systemic denial of education to Palestinian children, which is a powerful concept. But how can this systemic issue be addressed practically? Are there specific international legal frameworks that can be employed to ensure that Palestinian children have their right to education protected in practice, not just in rhetoric?
This article was a compelling read. The destruction of Palestinian educational infrastructure is not merely about buildings; it represents the stripping away of the future for an entire generation. It will lead us to the undermining of an entire generation. The western powers seem to only use education as a tool when it suits them.
So i want to ask why there is a selective response to the destruction of educational institutions based on geopolitical and strategic interests, and what does this say about the true neutrality of international aid and human rights efforts?
I find this article very pertinent to the times we are living in. As I'm writing this, it is October 6th, and almost a whole year has passed since Israel launched one of the deadliest stages of genocide in Palestine, The reason I call it a stage is because we all very well know, this genocide and resistance of survival has been going on for far longer than a year. The attitude of the global North is absolutely astounding, and it makes me think of how relevant racism and settler colonialism is to this day. The coloniser will always support its fellow colonisers, and to them black and brown blood mean nothing, I loved how you brought in Angelina Jolie's…
This article is thought provoking and insightful. The disparity in attitudes towards Palestine and Israel can be attributed to international attitudes that are dehumanizing Palestine to the extent that schools being bombed is okay. The right to education is presented as a basic human right by the Global North but there are implicit conditionalities attached to it based on geography, race, and ethnicity. Moreover, the biased behavior of United Nations showcases how the Global North holds the reins to deem how world bodies interact with conflict. This brings into mind the question of the UN agenda of education being global.