RAMALLAH, October 11, 2017 (WAFA) - Minister of Education Sabri Saidam Wednesday expressed regret for a Belgian government decision to suspend funds for the construction of two schools in the Hebron area due to Belgium’s objection to the name of a school built five years ago.

Speaking to Voice of Palestine radio, Saidam said the decision of the Belgian government was a result of incitement and pressure practiced by Israel against Palestinian schools and education.

He said a meeting with Belgian government officials will be held on Wednesday to discuss this matter.

Pro-Israel groups have lobbied the Belgium government to stop funding Palestinian schools and education after the Palestinian Authority named a school in the Hebron-area town of Beit Awwa after the Palestinian resistance fighter Dalal Mughrabi, who was killed in 1978 during a military operation against Israelis.

Saidam expressed surprise at the Belgium move saying that there are Israeli schools named after people who killed Palestinians whom Israel considers heroes.

M.N./M.K.