New Booklet Raises Awareness About Education In Palestine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Kristin Szremski
Director of Media and Communications
American Muslims for Palestine
10101 S. Roberts Road
Palos Hills, IL 60465
708.598.4267

Segregated school system still exists for Arab citizens of Israel

(PALOS HILLS 08/31/09) – As children across the country head back to school, the American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) hopes to bring awareness to the unequal school systems in Israel, a state the U.S. supports to the tune of more than $5 billion a year in unrestricted military aid, loan guarantees and other aid.

The United States frequently touts its friendship with Israel, which politicians like to call the only democracy in the Middle East.

But for thousands of Arab citizens of Israel, the rights that are supposed to come with a free society are denied them because they are forced into a separate and UNEQUAL school system. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported in July that the state of Israel spends $1,100 per Jewish student but only $190 per non-Jewish student, according to the Israeli Ministry of Education. In the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, conditions are as bad or worse. Israeli Defense Forces destroyed 18 schools in Gaza in January and now 1,200 kids won’t be able to go to school this fall. Other kids can’t reach their schools because of checkpoint and road closures. 

AMP is pleased to share with you our newest publication, “Making the Grade: The State of Education in Palestine.” The booklet is based upon information from numerous credible sources, including the Israeli Ministry of Education, Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem, UNICEF, the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education, several United Nations agencies and press reports. For a free hard copy, please send your request to AMP by emailing [email protected].

The American Muslims for Palestine is a national grassroots organization whose mission is to educate the American public and media about issues relating to Palestine and its rich cultural heritage. For more information or to make a donation, call 888.404.4AMP.