THE University and College Union (UCU) has condemned Israel’s decision to block an international delegation of education leaders attempting to visit Palestine as part of International Day of Education.

The delegation included UCU general secretary Jo Grady, National Education Union (NEU) president Ed Harlow, the general secretary of Education International, and union leaders from across the world. 

They were travelling at the invitation of the General Union of Palestinian Teachers.

Israeli authorities detained the group at the border, interrogated them for five hours, confiscated their passports and ultimately denied them entry.

Ms Grady said: “Children and students in Palestine deserve access to education and educators should be safe to teach and research, without fear and oppression. 

“Blocking an international education delegation won’t stop the world seeing the devastating loss of life in Gaza, nor the destruction of its education system. 

“And it won’t stop us showing solidarity with the children and educators of Palestine.   

“While our delegation experienced inconvenience, this was nothing compared to the daily harassment and conditions of Palestinians.”