PALESTINIAN RIGHT TO EDUCATION

Early day motion 819, tabled 2 March 2005 by Ian Gibson (Labour). Signed by 98 members.

That this House expresses its concern regarding Israel's deportation to Gaza of four Palestinian students at Birzeit University in the West Bank; notes that these Gazan students have not been accused of any offence; rejects as illegal the condition imposed by the Israeli military authorities that any resumption of their studies would be dependent on the students agreeing to return permanently to Gaza on graduation; is concerned that the illegal separation of the West Bank from the Gaza Strip exacerbates the existing barriers to Palestinian education and development; and urges the UK Government to insist that the government of Israel adheres to its legal obligations to allow unimpeded access for all Palestinian to their educational institutions.

Signatures by party: Labour 69, Liberal Democrat 13, Labour/Co-operative 8, Plaid Cymru 4, Conservative 2, Independent 1, Scottish National Party 1.