Justice and Human Rights United States Project #12995

U.S. Movement to Safeguard Palestinian Schools

by Rebuilding Alliance

Summary

The little Palestinian elementary school of Jubb Al Dhib village near Bethlehem is set for demolition by May 6th. Please help prevent this. On March 9, 2023, an Israeli group with no standing - Regavim - won a lawsuit to destroy the school within 60 days. Parents had no say. It's not the only school. The Government of Israel has issued demolition orders to 58 Palestinian schools in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem - your request for Congressional intervention may be the only way to save them.

$320,000
total goal

$92,326
remaining

1,417
donors

18
monthly donors

9
fundraisers

10
years

Challenge

The Jubb Al Dhib Elementary School serves 40 students in grades 1-4, and is experiencing a particularly egregious miscarriage of justice. The 58 Palestinian schools under full or partial demolition orders serve around 6,500 students in the most vulnerable areas of the W. Bank/E.Jerusalem and are staffed by at least 700 teachers (379 are women). As of February 2023, at least 7 schools out of the 58 are legally unprotected as their lawyers have exhausted all legal measures to protect them.

Solution

Three things can make a huge difference: (1) Petitioning the Military Court within 96 hours of demolition notice (2) Paying the court-mandated guarantee fee (returned when the village wins and some are winning) (3) Constituent meetings with their Senators and Reps to urge intervention on their behalf. The first two are necessary but not sufficient. Personal intervention by House and Senate offices may be the only way to safeguard a Palestinian school. Congress intervenes when Constituents ask.

Long-Term Impact

Schools are a valuable resource, a safe haven, and a human right, especially during times of danger. On March 24, Rebuilding Alliance contacted every Senator & Rep. asking for their intervention to prevent the demolition of Jubb Al Dhib School. 90 offices have replied so far. We're organizing 5 daily Zoom briefings with offices, a human rights expert, and constituents to safeguard Palestinian schools. This is not lobbying - this is the time to safeguard Palestinian schools before it is too late.