SCHOOLS and colleges in Bradford are learning about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict this week through a special education programme run by an organisation which aims to offer a non-partisan view.

Solutions Not Sides is bringing its education programme to nine of the district’s schools and colleges, including Grange Technical College, Carlton Bolling College, Hanson Academy, Samuel Lister Academy, Bingley Grammar School and University Academy Keighley.

It follows on from a successful Bradford tour in January and involves peace activists from both Israel and Palestinian territories speaking to students during the sessions. The programme is designed to prepare students to make a positive contribution to debates on Israel-Palestine.

Founder and director Sharon Booth said: “It has been a really interesting programme so far with students taking on board the impact of the conflict from both sides and offering their own ideas for a solution.”

One session is due to take place today at Laisterdyke Leadership Academy, offering a chance for students to enter into discussions with young Palestinians and Israelis.

The event will provide an understanding of both sides’ narratives in an effort to shift thinking away from supporting one side or the other, but towards seeking a solution instead.

Solutions Not Sides is due to host a community welcome event at Bradford’s City Hall today, to which religious leaders have been invited.

The organisation is also hoping to appoint a regional director shortly, should funding allow, and hopes the position will be based in Bradford.

Assistant director Jess Brandler said: “We work all over the UK, however at the moment all our staff are based in London.

“We hope to recruit a regional director for the North in the next 12 months and it makes sense for that position to be based in Bradford.”

She added: “We currently do two tours in Bradford a year, and we also work in Lancashire, Liverpool and Manchester.”

Solutions Not Sides has delivered conflict resolution training, provided education and facilitated discussion on the conflict in the UK and Europe since 2010 as a programme of OneVoice Europe.

It has reached thousands of students through this work.