Knesset passes draft law barring Palestinian university graduates from teaching

The Israeli parliament, the Knesset, has given preliminary approval to a draft law granting the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Education the authority to deny teaching licenses to individuals holding university degrees from Palestinian academic institutions, the Wafa news agency reported.

The draft passed with 40 votes in favour and nine against.

Under the proposed legislation, teachers in East Jerusalem who earned their degrees at Palestinian universities will be required to pursue further studies at Israeli academic institutions to maintain their positions.

The law exempts those who obtained their degrees or completed most of their studies before it comes into effect.