Fobzu Director calls on MPs to stand with Palestinian students and faculty

On 19th November, Fobzu’s Director, Omar Shweiki, joined the British Palestinian Committee (BPC) in Parliament to launch their Policy Guide for the UK Labour government. The guide calls on UK policymakers to adopt a principled approach that supports the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and an  end UK complicity in the ethnic cleansing of Palestine. Addressing MPs, policymakers and members of the British Palestinian community, Shweiki drew attention to the systematic attacks on Palestinian education and the urgent need for the UK to transform its policy in favour of solidarity with a Palestinian students and faculty. 

Referencing the determination of colleagues in Gaza serving their students and universities by continuing to teach amidst the ongoing scholasticide, he highlighted the profound spirit of solidarity and friendship that has grown  in response to the devastation and which should inspire international action to ensure and immediate and permanent ceasefire, and the realisation of Palestinian rights.

Citing the Unified Emergency Call of Palestinian Academics and Administrators of Gaza Universities, Shweiki called on UK representatives to stand with Gaza’s educators and reject externally imposed reconstruction plans that seek tobypass or weaken the integrity of Palestinian higher education institutions. Instead, solidarity must focus on supporting the grassroots efforts of Gaza’s academic community to preserve their existing universities, on which the future of education in Gaza depends.