Teaching about Palestine and Israel through the lens of Human Rights
The ongoing crisis in Palestine and Israel remains firmly implanted in our imaginations, and with pupils acutely aware of it through social media, opinions at home and conversations with friends, many teachers are wondering how, and whether, to teach about this global issue. Some teachers have argued that school should be a place free of politics — we argue that the decision not to teach about global injustice is a political stance itself. The ability to discuss Human Rights in school is an essential cornerstone to nurturing well-rounded citizens who step out into the world with an understanding of, and commitment to, social justice.
With regards to this conflict, Indian writer and activist Arundhati Roy said,
“The trouble is that once you see it, you can’t unsee it. And once you’ve seen it, keeping quiet, saying nothing, becomes as political an act as speaking out.”
Our resource supports teachers to hold critical conversations about this ongoing crisis by sharing new and existing activities and resources, basing the teaching around human rights and facts, and using a global citizenship education approach. It is rooted in an anti-racist approach and recognises that the process of learning can be uncomfortable and that it will inevitably include unlearning.
Download our resource here.
Image: “Banksy: Armoured Peace Dove” by eddiedangerous is licensed under CC BY 2.0