In Egypt's Sharm El-Sheikh, World Leaders Meet to Talk Peace - But Palestinians Are Left Out of the Conversation.
Two weeks have passed since a gathering of world leaders in Egypt vowed to find peace in the Middle East, but so far, Palestinian voices remain silent. The fragile ceasefire between Israel and its enemies continues to be held hostage by international focus on capturing remaining captive bodies, leaving no room for discussion about Palestinian rights to search for their own dead or mourn publicly.
Proponents of rebuilding Gaza imagine clearing rubble, pouring concrete, and rehabilitating infrastructure, but true reconstruction demands more. It must prioritize the people – restoring institutions, dignity, and a sense of belonging that was lost in the devastation. The real work begins with young survivors who still dare to dream, and educators are at the forefront of this effort.
Unfortunately, those proposing plans for governance and reconstruction are excluding Palestinians most affected by genocide. Many proposals aim to control rather than empower local leadership, prioritizing Israel's security over Palestinian well-being and self-determination. This approach has a proven track record: dependency, frustration, and despair follow such exclusionary strategies.
In contrast, education plays a vital role in Palestinian society, serving as more than just a place of study but also a sanctuary for thought, compassion, solidarity, and continuity – the fragile infrastructure of imagination. Gaza's universities have demonstrated remarkable resilience despite their campuses being razed to the ground, professors continuing to teach and research in makeshift shelters and public squares.
Universities are essential institutions not only because they train future professionals like doctors, teachers, and engineers but also because they provide safe spaces for dialogue, reflection, and decision-making. Strong educational and cultural institutions are crucial to rebuilding confidence, restoring dignity, and sustaining hope – the keys to a viable Palestinian future.
The past two years have seen remarkable transformations in university campuses worldwide as students and professors stood together against genocide in Gaza, calling for justice and accountability. This global uprising within education reminds us that universities are crucibles of conscience where knowledge is transformed into survival and survival becomes hope.
As institutions of higher education engage with rebuilding Gaza's universities, they must adopt a spirit of solidarity grounded in respect and dignity and guided by Palestinian leaders. The world's universities have a moral duty to stand with Gaza but should not slide into paternalism. They need to build capacity on Palestinian terms rather than imposing Western blueprints or templates.
Research collaboration and knowledge-sharing are essential for tackling the numerous challenges ahead, such as asbestos contamination and property ownership crises. Disciplines like medicine, law, psychology, and journalism will all play crucial roles in addressing these issues and preserving memory – a cornerstone of justice. Education can facilitate this process through literature, art, history, and faith.
Rebuilding Gaza requires not only technical expertise but also curiosity, compassion, and courage. The work of peace begins with teachers, students, and scholars who know how to learn and practice skilfully. Even amidst the rubble and devastation, Gaza's universities remain alive – keepers of memory and makers of their future. They are the proof that learning is an act of resistance, and education remains the first step towards sustainable peace.
Two weeks have passed since a gathering of world leaders in Egypt vowed to find peace in the Middle East, but so far, Palestinian voices remain silent. The fragile ceasefire between Israel and its enemies continues to be held hostage by international focus on capturing remaining captive bodies, leaving no room for discussion about Palestinian rights to search for their own dead or mourn publicly.
Proponents of rebuilding Gaza imagine clearing rubble, pouring concrete, and rehabilitating infrastructure, but true reconstruction demands more. It must prioritize the people – restoring institutions, dignity, and a sense of belonging that was lost in the devastation. The real work begins with young survivors who still dare to dream, and educators are at the forefront of this effort.
Unfortunately, those proposing plans for governance and reconstruction are excluding Palestinians most affected by genocide. Many proposals aim to control rather than empower local leadership, prioritizing Israel's security over Palestinian well-being and self-determination. This approach has a proven track record: dependency, frustration, and despair follow such exclusionary strategies.
In contrast, education plays a vital role in Palestinian society, serving as more than just a place of study but also a sanctuary for thought, compassion, solidarity, and continuity – the fragile infrastructure of imagination. Gaza's universities have demonstrated remarkable resilience despite their campuses being razed to the ground, professors continuing to teach and research in makeshift shelters and public squares.
Universities are essential institutions not only because they train future professionals like doctors, teachers, and engineers but also because they provide safe spaces for dialogue, reflection, and decision-making. Strong educational and cultural institutions are crucial to rebuilding confidence, restoring dignity, and sustaining hope – the keys to a viable Palestinian future.
The past two years have seen remarkable transformations in university campuses worldwide as students and professors stood together against genocide in Gaza, calling for justice and accountability. This global uprising within education reminds us that universities are crucibles of conscience where knowledge is transformed into survival and survival becomes hope.
As institutions of higher education engage with rebuilding Gaza's universities, they must adopt a spirit of solidarity grounded in respect and dignity and guided by Palestinian leaders. The world's universities have a moral duty to stand with Gaza but should not slide into paternalism. They need to build capacity on Palestinian terms rather than imposing Western blueprints or templates.
Research collaboration and knowledge-sharing are essential for tackling the numerous challenges ahead, such as asbestos contamination and property ownership crises. Disciplines like medicine, law, psychology, and journalism will all play crucial roles in addressing these issues and preserving memory – a cornerstone of justice. Education can facilitate this process through literature, art, history, and faith.
Rebuilding Gaza requires not only technical expertise but also curiosity, compassion, and courage. The work of peace begins with teachers, students, and scholars who know how to learn and practice skilfully. Even amidst the rubble and devastation, Gaza's universities remain alive – keepers of memory and makers of their future. They are the proof that learning is an act of resistance, and education remains the first step towards sustainable peace.
Education is everything in rebuilding Gaza... Interesting how Palestinians' voices are being left out 
. We need to prioritize their rights & self-determination 
. Universities will play a huge role in this but we gotta do it on Palestinian terms 
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and I'm still on a high vibe 
from soaking up those sun rays. Anyway, back to this news about the world leaders meeting in Egypt... I feel like we're not getting the full picture of what's going on in Gaza. Like, how many Palestinians are actually being involved in these conversations? Are they just being left out or is it because they don't have a seat at the table? 
i wonder if any of these world leaders even visited gaza before making their plans. its like they're talking about someone elses life without understanding it 
i'm literally shaking thinking about this!!! palestine has been through so much trauma and it's heartbreaking to see them left out of the conversation 
especially when it comes to rebuilding gaza... like, what even is a 'ceasefire' without addressing the root issues ?? 
they need our support and solidarity now more than ever 
But instead of focusing on that, we've got pro-governance plans that are gonna create more dependency on Israel... no thanks! 
. I mean, what's the point of rebuilding Gaza without giving the people who lost their homes and loved ones a say in it? 
We need to prioritize Palestinian voices and empowerment, not just control and governance 
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. That's not how you build sustainable peace; you need to get involved and help those affected by genocide rebuild their lives 
It feels like they're just trying to save face while everyone else is stuck in the rubble. We need to hear more from those who actually lived through the devastation, you know? Education and research are all well and good, but it's not going to solve anything if we don't address the root issues. 
They're trying to focus on rebuilding Gaza, but they're forgetting that Palestinians are the ones who actually live there 
. It's not just about clearing rubble and pouring concrete, it's about giving them a say in their own future 
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. Gaza's universities are still standing strong, despite all the destruction 
, not just focus on fancy infrastructure projects 
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. It's time to get the priorities straight and make sure that Palestinian rights are being respected 
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. We need to be thinking about the people on the ground who are actually living in Gaza 
. Those young survivors with big dreams, educators trying to rebuild institutions... they're the ones who need our support most 
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. Gaza's universities are amazing, and I love how they're still thriving despite everything 
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. Let's work together with Palestinians to build a better future, not just one that prioritizes security over dignity 
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. Like, what even is the point of talkin' about peace if you're not gonna include the people who have been livin' through all this trauma? 
. Not just about rebuildin' infrastructure or trainin' future professionals, but also about creatin' spaces for dialogue, reflection, and decision-makin'. It's where the real work begins, empowerin' young survivors to dream big and build a better future.
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. Rebuilding Gaza isn't just about throwing some concrete and rubble away, it's about giving those people their lives back. Education is literally the backbone of this whole thing - without strong institutions and a culture of empathy, you're not gonna get anywhere. And yeah, Israel's got to stop trying to control everything and start listening to Palestinians for once 
. So many ppl think rebuilding Gaza just means throwing money at it, but what about the actual people who've been living there? The ones who lost their homes, their loved ones, and their dignity? 
what about all those uni profs who lost everything & are still managing 2 keep their campuses alive? 
I mean, think about it - they're talking about education and reconstruction, but where are the Palestinian voices in all of this? It's like they're speaking over them. 
. It's like they're trying to push their own agenda and ignore the people most affected by the conflict. And have you noticed how all these proposals for reconstruction are focused on rebuilding infrastructure but neglecting the actual needs of the Palestinian people? 
.