The world’s largest union for academics in Britain will probe the effects of the Israeli blockade of Gaza and how it affects education there.
The University and College Union (UCU), which is based in the UK, is planning to send a delegation to the Gaza Strip to view the effects of the blockade on the territory. This comes despite opposition from the UK government which says the move is dangerous and a waste of money.
The UCU has been criticized by Israel and its allies in recent years over its policy of boycotting Israeli academics.
Over 750,000 children are living in the besieged enclave, many of them unable to receive adequate education. Gaza has been blockaded since June 2007, which is a situation that has caused a decline in the standard of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.
In 2008-2009, more than 1330 Palestinians were killed during Israel's Operation Cast Lead, while thousands of others, many of them women and children, remained hospitalized. In November 2012, Israel launched Operation Pillar of Defense I against Gaza. Over 160 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed and about 1,200 others were injured and more than 1,500 targets were hit across the Palestinian enclave during the eight-day war.
