Ei-iE

Education International calls for the immediate release of Palestinian teacher union activist Fatima Nimer Al-Rimawi

published 11 September 2024 updated 11 September 2024

Fatima Nimer Al-Rimawi, a 54-year-old Palestinian kindergarten teacher, is the President of the Jericho branch of the Palestine General Union of Workers in Kindergarten and Private Schools (GUWKPS), a member organisation of Education International. In January 2024, she was arrested at her home by the Israeli Defense Forces and transferred to the al-Damon prison, near Haifa in Israel.

She faces charges of “incitement to terrorism,” a broadly defined accusation often employed in such cases, after posting critical comments on Facebook regarding Israel's retaliatory attacks in Gaza. Al-Rimawi’s court hearing is scheduled for 15 September 2024.

During her detention, she has been denied access to medical care, legal counsel, and family visits.

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and several Education International member organisations are actively campaigning for her immediate and unconditional release, calling for all charges to be dropped.

To learn more about Fatima's case and what you can do to help, please visit https://www.freefatimaalrimawi.com/.