We advocate for the Global Community of Educators and Students
National Education Association joins educators worldwide to demand the immediate release of Palestinian teacher and union activist, Fatima Al-Rimawi
Fatima Al-Rimawi is a dedicated early childhood educator with over 30 years of teaching experience. A lifelong champion for her young students and cheerleader for her fellow teachers, Fatima serves as President of the Jericho branch of the Palestinian General Union of Workers in Kindergarten and Private Schools (GUWKPS), an affiliate of Education International.
In January 2024, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) arrested Fatima in her home and detained her at the Damon Prison for women near Haifa, Israel. Fatima was arrested on charges of “incitement to terrorism,” a loosely defined, sweeping accusation used to retaliate against those who speak out on social media about the Israeli government’s military campaign in Gaza.
Since her arrest, Fatima has been held without access to medical care or visits from her family or lawyer. Her health is in decline and her court appearances have been postponed without warning four times, leaving Fatima in a legal limbo and under significant psychological duress. The Damon military prison conducts daily strip searches, denies Fatima and other detainees the freedom to pray, and restricts access to sufficient food.
Despite these inhumane conditions, fellow detainees describe Fatima as an uplifting leader inside the prison, going out of her way to support the women around her. Fatima’s care and thoughtfulness is reflected in messages from fellow teachers who say, “Fatima is the most loved teacher in our school. She’s always been so close to the kids, and they miss her so much.” A young student in Fatima’s class says, “we want her to come back and comb our hair like she used to, treating us like her own children.”
NEA is joining the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and Education International (EI) in the call to stand in solidarity with Fatima and all teachers detained unlawfully worldwide. We demand that the Israel Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant, authorize her immediate release and drop all charges against her. You can take action on X by tagging @yoavgallant in posts demanding Fatima’s release and use the hashtag #FreeFatimaAlRimawi.
To learn more about Fatima’s case and join the social media campaign to bring her home, visit https://www.freefatimaalrimawi.com/.
Statements from NEA President Becky Pringle
NEA Board of Directors takes action to reaffirm NEA’s call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas
Conflict in the Middle East: Resources for Educators
How to Talk About the Israel-Hamas War
Processing Attacks in Israel and the Outbreak of War in the Region
Talking to Children About the Violence in Israel and Gaza
How to Talk to Kids About Violence, Crime, and War
Resilience in a Time of War: Tips for Parents and Teachers of Teens
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Traveling with the NEA President
International Women's Day in Jamaica
President Pringle represented NEA and women educators all over the world powerfully in March when she appeared as an international guest speaker at the Jamaica Teachers Association conference celebrating International Women’s Day. JTA is the Caribbean’s largest union. “When women win, everybody wins,” Pringle's told conference attendees. “I don’t need to tell the people in this room that educators lack the dignity and respect and the pay that reflects the important work we do.”
Pringle's visit was featured in The Gleaner, one of Jamaica’s largest national newspapers. She also attended a dinner with the Education Minister and appeared on “Smile Jamaica,” the country’s most popular morning show.
A Visit to Israel and Palestine
In January 2023, President Pringle accepted Education International's invitation to participate in a mission to Israel and Palestine to meet with educators, students, union leaders, UN agencies and government officials.
Follow her three-day journey to learn about the work of education unions in the region.
NEA International Relations' Work
Education is a fundamental human right, and though achievable, this right has yet to be realized. In our diverse and interdependent world, dismantling the barriers to universal quality education requires engagement and advocacy at all levels. Through strategic partnerships, campaigns, and advocacy, NEA supports students and educators in our global community to fulfill the promise of quality public education for every student.
NEA International Relations works to protect students, elevate educator voices, secure human and workers’ rights, and promote strong inclusive public education systems. In addition to policy and advocacy efforts, NEA provides support and resources to U.S. educators on global education. Find more information about the principles and structures that guide NEA International Relations.
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Global ESPs United to Increase Respect and Wages
International Summit on the Teaching Profession
CERD Update
Educator Voices Elevated at U.N. Summit
Human Rights & Democracy
Supporting and Educating Migrant Refugee Children
Combating Human Trafficking
Global & Inclusive Education
No Time to Lose: How to Build a World-Class Education System State by State
Reimagining our Futures Together: A New Social Contract for Education
Education at a Glance 2022
Palestinian Students Thrive When They Feel Welcomed in Schools
NEA Foundation Global Learning Fellowships
Principles for Effective and Equitable Educational Recovery from COVID
Climate Justice
Teach for the Planet
Educators on a Heating Planet: Shaping Education Unions’ Vision for a Just Transition
OECD Investigates Student Readiness to Take on Environmental Challenges
COP 27 Update & Report Out
Teaching in Ukraine After a Year of War
As the war on Ukraine continues, only 25 percent of schools across the country are open, but that hasn't stopped Ukraine's educators in finding new ways to educate their students in the war-torn country and help students cope with trauma.
Global Education Unions Solidarity with Ukraine
Education unions from around the world stand in solidarity. See their messages of support and read Education International and its European Trade Union Committee for Education's joint statement demanding an end to the military aggression and sovereign peace for Ukraine.
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