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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Jul 1989

Vol. 391 No. 7

Written Answers. - Reopening of UNRWA Schools.

22.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will request the Israeli Government to allow the reopening of UNRWA schools in the occupied territories; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

We have made our concerns about the closure of educational establishments on the West Bank, including the UNRWA schools, clear to the Israeli authorities both bilaterally and together with our partners in the Twelve. The most recent bilateral approach was made by Ireland's Ambassador to Israel (who is resident in Athens), in the course of a recent visit to that country.

The Twelve have made a number of demarches to the Israeli authorities and on 31 May issued a statement expressing their serious concern at the presistent decision of the Israeli authorities to keep the schools on the West Bank, including the UNRWA schools, closed. In their statement the Twelve again called on the Israeli authorities to reconsider their policy urgently. In a declaration on the Middle East issued at the European Council meeting in Madrid on 27 June 1989 the Twelve appealed for the reopening of educational facilities on the West Bank. Ireland and its partners in the Twelve consider that the closure of schools is contrary to the basic right to education, threatens the future of a whole generation of young Palestinians and contributes to increasing the level of tension in the occupied territories, thus obstructing the task of building confidence which is essential if the peace process is to prosper.

I welcome Israel's statement of 12 June that preparations had been ordered for the reopening of schools on the West Bank. It is my hope that, as soon as possible, all schools will reopen, thus enabling Palestinian students again to exercise their fundamental right to education.

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