MLA Palestine Group Meets Right to Education Campaign

Members from the Modern Language Association (MLA) on June 18, 2016 met the Right to Education Campaign at Birzeit University.

The six-member delegation, which is also part of the group MLA for Justice in Palestine, was introduced to the main rights violations imposed by the Israeli occupation against Palestinians, especially restrictions to the right to education.

The Right to Education Campaign described how systematic measures taken by the Israeli occupation forces impede education, including restrictions on movement, the continuous arrest of students and academics, the lack of research resources and educational materials, the localization of knowledge, and illegal settlements expansion.

Representatives of the campaign further explained the obstacles that face academia in Palestine, describing them as “invisible violations.” It implied that these violations prevent students, scholars and academics from learning about or writing their own narrative and history.

At the end of the meeting, the parties discussed ways to protect Palestinians’ right to education, starting with protecting Palestinian culture and narrative.

The MLA is a large and diverse group of more than 26,000 members from over 100 different countries. Its members are primarily academic scholars, professors, and graduate students who study or teach language and literature. The association's goal is to strengthen the study and teaching of language and literature. The six-member visit to Palestine was made as part of attempts to advocate for a boycott resolution by the MLA that will be proposed next winter.