Young Palestinians in the West Bank are graduating in large numbers, yet many are facing bleak job prospects as conflict, restricted mobility, and economic strain continue to undermine the promise of higher education. Despite living with daily conflict, higher education in the Palestinian West Bank is thriving – with a greater percentage of graduates than most of the Arab world. In 2023, newly enrolled students in undergraduate and graduate studies reached over 36,000 students. During the same year, 32,263 students graduated from Palestinian higher education institutions, according to data from the International Trade Administration. Sally Aljoboury spent four years at university and obtained a degree in law major. She's 23 and had dreams of earning a good salary working in international relations, perhaps for the United Nations (UN). But the only job she’s been able to get is taking telephone orders for food delivery. Twenty one year-old Omar Hadad spent two years studying media at college but had to drop out when he could no longer afford the fees. He is now spending his days working at a car wash. Young people cited a range of obstacles to learning in the West Bank, from conflict-related disruptions and restricted movement between campuses to military operations and settler violence that have left students threatened. Many educational centers have been forced to close or shift entirely online, despite poor internet connectivity and limited access to computers. After graduation there is a disheartening lack of jobs for students. The cancellation of work permits by the Israeli authorities has meant fewer Palestinians can obtain jobs in Israel or Israeli settlements, normally a major source of employment. The area's de facto government, the Palestinian Authority, has limited resources to address the job shortage. For life and prospects to improve for graduates, analysts said it will require a whole new jobs strategy. Shotlist: West Bank - Recent: 1. Various of graduate Sally Aljoboury; buildings; 2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Sally Aljoboury, law major graduate: "My feelings are clear – after four years of hard work and ambition I am shocked by the reality of the lack of jobs in the labor market. It’s like a mirage, an imaginary reality that we live in as Palestinians."; 3. Various of young man washing car; 4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Omar Hadad, journalism major graduate: "I studied in the college in the first year, but I stopped in the second year because financially it was hard to complete my studies, and it is hard to find good jobs anyway."; 5. Careers advisor Odai Qabaja walking into building; 6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Odai Qabaja, careers advisor: "Unfortunately, three major specializations face huge problems due to the lack of job opportunities: medicine, law, and engineering, considering roles that are needed by society."; 7. Fruit stall, people; 8. Various of vehicles, people on street; 9. Various of people, fruit market; 10. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Sally Aljoboury, law major graduate: "We still have ambition and hopes despite the circumstances and limited options, but the possibility of achieving them is very small or non-existent. In fact, the percentage of achieving our hopes is zero."; 11. Various of street scene; stall, people. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland]