Going to school under Israeli occupation

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-14T18:40:33.101Z • Permanent link

Israeli occupation has become a part of daily life for thousands of Palestinian students in the West Bank, where educational institutions operate under strict military rule. The occupation has been ongoing since 1967, when Israel captured the territory during the Six-Day War. Today, Israel controls the flow of goods and people, restricts movement, and has a significant military presence on the ground. For many Palestinian students, the occupation means that their education is often disrupted by military checkpoints, curfews, and home demolitions.

According to data from the Palestinian Ministry of Education, over 450,000 Palestinian students are enrolled in schools in the West Bank. However, the occupation has significant impacts on the quality of education, with many schools lacking basic resources such as textbooks, electricity, and clean water. The occupation also restricts the movement of teachers and students, making it difficult for them to access education. In 2020, the Israeli military demolished the school in the village of Umm Zayyan, leaving hundreds of students without access to education.

The occupation also affects the ability of Palestinian students to access higher education. Many Palestinian students are denied the right to attend university in Israel, and those who are accepted often face significant barriers to accessing resources and support. According to a report by the Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem, in 2020, the Israeli government denied admission to over 1,000 Palestinian students to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The occupation of Palestinian schools and universities has significant implications for the development of the AI and tech ecosystem in the region. The lack of access to quality education and resources can limit the ability of Palestinian students to develop the skills and knowledge needed to compete in the global tech industry. Many companies in the region, such as Wafra Group and Investcorp, have invested heavily in education and training programs to develop the skills of Palestinian students.

The occupation also affects the ability of research communities in the region to access international collaboration and funding. Many Palestinian researchers are denied the right to access international conferences and collaborate with colleagues in other countries due to restrictions on movement and access to resources. According to a report by the Palestinian Academy for Science and Technology, in 2020, the Israeli government restricted the movement of over 100 Palestinian researchers, preventing them from attending international conferences.

The impact of the occupation on the AI and tech ecosystem in the region is also reflected in the market environment. The occupation has led to a significant decline in investment in the region, with many foreign investors citing the uncertainty and instability as a major concern. According to a report by the International Monetary Fund, the occupation has led to a decline in GDP growth in the region, with the West Bank experiencing a decline of over 10% in 2020.