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Occupied Palestinian Territories, Fact Sheets

Violations of the Right to Education During the Al-Aqsa Intifada

TheAl-Aqsa Intifada, which began on September 28, 2000 has led to the mostcomprehensive Israeli military and economic siege ever experienced inthe Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). Israeli policies andpractices of closure, curfew, and destruction of educational facilitiesdue to shelling and the use of heavy weaponry have had a devastatingimpact on the Palestinian education sector.

Applicability of the Covenant in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT)

Background

Israel, which ratified the International Covenant on Economic,Social & Cultural Rights in 1992, has systematically refused toextend its application to Palestinians in the Occupied PalestinianTerritories (OPT) living under Israeli control. Such refusal isconsistent with Israel???s longstanding policy of openly rejectingapplication of universal international law principles to its treatmentof Palestinians.