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The Palestinian teachers' union said last week that its members would not return to their classes at the start of the new school year September 2 in protest against six months without pay. "Representatives have decided unanimously to ignore the education ministry's decision to return to school on September 2. Therefore, neither teachers nor headmasters will return to school," union boss Jamal Shehadeh said. The decision was taken to protest against non-payment of salaries for the 40,000 public teaching staff in the Palestinian territories. The more than 160,000 Palestinian Authority employees have received practically no pay since March, as a result of the suspension of direct Western aid and the refusal of banks to transfer Arab donations to government coffers. The European Union and United States froze direct aid when Islamist party Hamas took office after a landslide election win, over its refusal to formally recognize Israel, renounce violence, and abide by previous agreements. The West considers Hamas, which has claimed responsibility for dozens of deadly suicide attacks in Israel over the years, a terrorist organisation. [Source: AFP] Further information
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