Ministry for Diaspora Affairs | September 2024

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Digital edition

The Palestinian Authority’s Educational System: Indoctrinating students with Antisemitism and glorifying the destruction of the State of Israel

September 2024 Abridged Edition

Key Findings

The Palestinian Authority’s educational system comprises of two interconnected elements that demand action. A. Delegitimization of the very existence of the State of Israel and the presence of Jewish residents in any part of the land; denial of Jewish history in the land and of Jewish holy sites; demonization of Israel and Jews. B. Advocacy for the violent struggle to liberate the entire land, including the territory of Israel within its 1967 borders. Glorification of terrorism and its perpetrators is an integral part of the struggle, with the accompanying implication of encouraging the killing of Jews.

Photo from the Facebook page of "Amin al Husseini" Elementary and Middle School for Boys in Ramallah, drawing of a terrorist on a paraglider with the inscription "Al-Aqsa Flood"

This is the Palestinian narrative, and children are never exposed to an alternative narrative. No counter-examples or references opposing the two central elements mentioned were found.

This contradicts the PA’s commitments under the Oslo Accords as well as the UN principles concerning the conflict. Since the Oslo Accords recognized Israel’s legitimacy, the exclusion of this recognition constitutes delegitimization. 1

Furthermore, content observed in UNRWA schools, responses by UNRWA teachers and staff to the events of October 7, 2023, and the involvement of agency staff and employees in Gaza in the massacre are all a direct consequence of the alarming trend in Palestinian education.

A review of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism 2 reveals that the PA educational system is deeply entrenched in high-intensity hatred of Jews and Israel.

The systematic promotion of this perspective is not limited to the Palestinian educational system, which, though significant, is just one element within an entire institutional framework.

The following trends have intensified significantly and alarmingly since the massacre led by Hamas on October 7th, 2023. It is important to note that the PA did not condemn the massacre. Furthermore, senior PA and Fatah officials denied the acts, while others claimed they were a ״ natural response ״ to Israeli policy. In terms of the educational system, no efforts were made to change the textbooks during the year.

2 What is antisemitism? - IHRA (holocaustremembrance.com) 1 ECF - Economic Cooperation Foundation: Oslo II - The Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - English Text

Part A

A. School Names

The Palestinian Authority (PA) glorifies terrorists and terrorism, for example, the names it assigns to schools. Selected examples of schools named after terrorists: 3

״ Amin al-Husseini ״ Elementary and Middle School for Boys in Ramallah 4 It was named after the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem during the British Mandate, who collaborated with Nazi Germany.

״ Dalal al-Mughrabi ״ Girls’ Elementary School in Hebron 5 It was named after the terrorist who led the group responsible for the 1978 Coastal Road massacre, in which 35 Israelis were murdered.

״ Abdullah Azzam ״ Elementary School in Jenin 6 It was named after one of the founders of the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization.

״ Nashat Abu-Jabara ״ Elementary School in Tulkarm 7 It was named after a Hamas operative who manufactured explosive belts and devices used in attacks against Israeli civilians.

3 pa ministry of education schools named after 4 https://did.li/EsOTY 5 https://did.li/VDgx5 6 https://did.li/t1aOf 7 https://www.facebook.com/NshatAbwJbartAlasasyt

Part B

B. Examples of the Glorification of the atrocities of October 7

Salem Girls’ High School, Nablus On November 14, 2023, a video was posted showing several students marching in support of the Gaza Strip, chanting incitements to jihad, including «With spirit and blood, we will redeem Al-Aqsa Mosque; with spirit and blood, we will redeem you, martyr.» The students also address the mothers of martyrs, wishing that their mothers could be the mothers of martyrs instead of them. The banner leading the march reads ״ Al-Aqsa Flood, ״ the name Hamas gave to the ״ Operation Al-Aqsa Flood ״ (known in Israel as the ״ Swords of Iron War ״ ). They also chanted, ״ Bombing Tel Aviv, Ashdod, Dimona, Ashkelon is easier for us than drinking water, ״ among other incitements. 8

(QR code for the video posted on the school’s Facebook account, November 2023)

8 https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=310419625263790

Part B

Beit Anan Girls’ High School, Jerusalem – مدرسة بنات بيت عنان الثانوية On November 6, 2023, a video was posted on the school’s official Facebook page showing images praising the actions carried out by Hamas on October 7. Examples include students wearing shirts with the words ״ Al-Aqsa Flood – 07/10/2023״ 9 and wall-painting activities with slogans such as ״07/10/2023 – A date that will not be forgotten ״ ’ and ״Al-Qassam Brigades.״ 10 02

(QR code for the video posted on the school’s Facebook account, November 2023)

״ The Martyrs of the Cave of the Patriarchs ״ Girls’ Elementary School, Hebron On October 17, 2023, a photo on the school’s Facebook account showed a student displaying a drawing she created. The illustration depicts a figure with Palestinian symbols (wings in the colors of the PLO flag) raising a sword in the air while standing over a figure with Jewish symbols (wearing a Star of David on their arms) . The photo was posted alongside the caption, ״ Student Larin Daana shares her support for Palestine and Gaza during the ‘Al-Aqsa Flood’ operation.״ 11

9 https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1019902565896993 10 https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=860825835507384

״ Sebastia Girls ״ High School, Nablus District

On October 16, 2023, a Facebook post featuring student drawings was published. These drawings depicted their perspectives on the battle in the Gaza Strip. Notably, a fifth-grade student’s drawing stood out, showing soldiers with weapons alongside dead civilians, Hamas rockets hidden in underground tunnels, and Israeli hostages in chains. The post accompanied the caption, ״ With honor and pride, I present Gaza. The wonderful fifth-grade students express and convey their feelings about what the children in the Gaza Strip are experiencing.״ 12

11 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=781682557091938&set=pb.100057506017664.- 2207520000&type=3%3A%20%E2%80%8B9 https://www.facebook.com/ watch/?v=1019902565896993 12 https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02maZ4MTSAjKFfZYBAUQfFyrX9unCpxN8F 7Us9zASDZw1StsuAFABXAXZe4t7twPRBl&id=100042746693094

Part C

01 The Palestinian Authority’s textbooks are used in a system in Judea and Samaria (including East Jerusalem in schools that follow the Palestinian curriculum), in Gaza, and UNRWA schools. C. Antisemitism and Indoctrination Promoting the Destruction of Israel in Textbooks and Teacher Manuals 13

Last April, the European Union highlighted a link between the content of the PA and UNRWA textbooks and the events of October 7 . 14 Before the massacre, in July 2023, the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning the Palestinian Authority for its continued glorification of terrorism and hatred in its textbooks, marking the fourth consecutive year of such condemnation. 15

Below are prominent examples from textbooks and teacher guides that illustrate the two main elements mentioned earlier in the official education of the Palestinian Authority:

13 Thanks to the Nahum Badin Center for Middle East Policy Research and the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center for contributing to this section. 14 TA (europa.eu), pp. 61-62 15 EU Parliament calls for funding freeze to Palestinians for second time in two months; condemns PA for incitement in textbooks (mailchi.mp). For the full text of the resolution, see TA MEF (europa.eu). Also, see the 2021 study of EU financial assistance to Palestine* (europa.eu).

Delegitimization of Israel

Teachers are instructed in the guides to deny the historical connection of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel: ״ European imperialists and Zionist thought invented the phenomenon of antisemitism to gain the world’s sympathy and support for the Zionist project, which aims to take over Palestine as the so-called ‘Promised Land.’ It is essential to clarify to students that the Promised Land is a product of European thought and the religious reformation in Europe, and there is conclusive evidence that denies the Jewish connection to Palestine. Moreover, archaeological excavations have refuted the false claims of the biblical narrative on which the Zionist movement relies. ״ (From ״ The History Study Guide, ״ 11th grade)

The erasure of Israel and its current inhabitants complements the denial of any past connection Jews have to the land. Furthermore, the connection is portrayed as a fabrication: ״ ..The occupier] built an artificial entity for itself that draws its identity and legitimacy from fairy tales, legends, and false visions, and it tried through various methods to create living material evidence for these legends or archaeological and architectural proofs to confirm their validity and truth, but to no avail. ״

"The Arabic Language – Academic Track," 10th Grade, Part B

Part C

Ignoring Israel and Its Jewish Inhabitants, Past and Present

A recurring theme in the denial of the Jews’ right to a national homeland or any rights to any part of the land is the omission of Israel from maps. This reinforces the idea that ״ Palestine ״ extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River. This trend appears in classroom and school activities, summer camps, and more. One of the Arabic language teacher guides for 6th grade explicitly instructs that the student should ״ be well-versed in the lessons and teachings, such as every inch of Palestine is ours. ״

Examples of Maps in the textbooks that ignore the existence of Israel

The emphasis on the land belonging solely to the Palestinians is highlighted in an assignment given to students: ״ A. Color the map of my homeland in the colors of the Palestinian flag. ״ Below this instruction is a map of the entire land, with colored lines indicating the boundaries the students should follow when coloring.

(From the book ״ National and Life Education, ״ 2nd grade, Part A)

In the lesson about «Palestine» as an «Arab and Muslim» region, a map of the Arab Homeland is presented. The entire land is shown in red with the name «Palestine» next to it. Above the name, the Palestinian flag is depicted.

(From the book ״ National and Social Development, ״ 4th grade, Part A)

Teachers are being instructed to tell students that Jerusalem and the Al-Aqsa Mosque are in danger due to actions taken by Israel. This message is not only for students, but is widespread in Palestinian society and beyond and has the potential to provoke violent outbursts and terrorism.

Similarly, in the guide ״ Geography and Modern and Contemporary History of Palestine, ״ 10th-grade teachers are directed to ask students: ״ What are the reasons for the Zionist occupation’s digging of tunnels under the Al-Aqsa Mosque? ״ The answer provided is: ״ We all know the extent of the Zionists’ cunning and their hostility towards the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and their efforts to eliminate and destroy it through various means. Sometimes, they resort to burning it, and other times, they try to convince the entire world that the area called the Dome of the Rock – which is part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque – is the Al-Aqsa Mosque itself so that our attention will focus on protecting it without considering the other parts of the mosque. Now they continue their excavations beneath the Al-Aqsa Mosque under the pretense of searching for their fictitious temple. ״

Part C

"Jerusalem is an Arab city built by our Arab ancestors thousands of years ago. Jerusalem is a holy city for Muslims and Christians.”

From “National and Social Nurturing,” Grade 3, Part A

The Hebrew language is also erased from a British Mandate coin included in a mathematics textbook, Grade 6, Part B. See below the original coin:

Demonization

Textbooks contain no positive information about Israel or Jews. They are depicted as embodiments of absolute evil. An essential part of this demonization is the emphasis on acts of massacre by the Jews. Here are excerpts from “A Letter from a Palestinian Girl to the Children of the World”: “Since I was born, they have killed my childhood. They tore my doll to pieces, and I hid it in my heart. Since I was born, the whistle of bullets has pierced my ears, and darkness has covered everything around me…

…Why did they slaughter my childhood before my eyes and murder the roses in the fields? Why did they kill the butterflies in our gardens and scare the birds? Why did they hide the sun, spread darkness, and block the roads?”

From “The Arabic Language,” Grade 8, Part A

Demonization in a religious context, as mentioned, carries significant weight, especially in the context of holy places. Thus, Jews are portrayed as infidels and helpers of Satan. An excerpt from a poem studied in class: “Where are the horsemen [who will ride] to [the Al-Aqsa Mosque] to free it from the fist of infidelity, from the helpers of Satan?”

From “The Arabic Language,” Grade 7, Part A

Furthermore, Jews are demonized outside the context of the conflict as enemies of the Prophet Muhammad and Islam from its early years, and traits such as betrayal and hostility are attributed to them. This turns them into eternal enemies of Muslims today: Moreover, Jews are portrayed as enemies of all the prophets of God and, by implication – enemies of God Himself. Here is the first lesson from a series of classes in the chapter about Jesus Christ:

“1. To expose the nature of the Children of Israel and their hostility to the prophets” (From the book “Islamic Education,” Grade 9, Part B)

Part C

Demonization of Jews also occurs outside the conflict context. They are described as a fundamentally corrupt nation: “The spread of corruption in the land is inherent to the Children of Israel.”

(From a Quran Studies book, Grade 11 [Sharia track])

Full Liberation Through Violent Struggle

Instead of peace, textbooks often promote violent struggle for liberation through songs. The goal of the fight for freedom is hinted at in the teacher’s guide: “The Zionists are the terrorists of the modern age. Their fate is to disappear.”

(From “Teacher’s Guide, The Arabic Language,” Grade 6)

“Liberation of Palestine” also includes cities such as Haifa, Jaffa, and Acre: “Let us sing: Children of Palestine I am a lion cub, I am a flower, We gave our souls to the revolution. Our ancestors have built homes for us. in our free land [in the past] I am a lion cub; I am a flower; We carried the ember of the revolution. to Haifa, to Jaffa, to Al-Aqsa, (to the Dome of the Rock)”

(From “Our Beautiful Language,” Grade 2, Part A)

“4. We will detail how to ensure the liberation of Acre from the occupation” (From the Teacher’s Guide, The Arabic Language, Grade 10).

Similar to the integration of religious-Islamic messages in the context of delegitimization and demonization, Palestinian textbooks mix Islamic concepts and values like holy war (jihad) and martyrdom (shahada) as part of the land's liberation.

“Activity 2: How, in your opinion, can we work together to liberate our homeland Palestine from the occupying Zionists?”

(From “Islamic Education,” Grade 5, Part A)

The answer is hinted at in the teacher’s guide for a higher grade: “Jihad for the sake of God to liberate the homelands from the impurity of occupation.”

(From Teacher’s Guide, The Arabic Language, Grade 8)

Part C

Here is an explicit call to fight the Jews and kill them as part of hastening the Day of Judgment: "...7. The struggle against the Jews and victory over them: The Messenger [Muhammad] prophesied the end of the oppression by the Jews in this holy land and the removal of their corruption and occupation. It was narrated by Abu Huraira [one of the Prophet's companions and transmitters of his traditions] that the Prophet said: 'The Hour will not come until the Muslims fight the Jews, and the Muslims will kill them. Even if a Jew hides behind a rock or a tree, the rock or tree will say: O Muslim, O servant of God, a Jew is hiding behind me, come and kill him. Except for the charged tree, for it is from the trees of the Jews.'"

(From the textbook "Belief," Grade 11 [Sharia track])

Glorification of Terrorists 22 The most prominent example of glorifying terrorists is Dalal al-Mughrabi, who led the 1978 coastal highway terror attack, in which over 30 Israeli civilians were killed. Here is an excerpt from the book "The Arabic Language," Grade 5, Part B, where the first page of a four-page chapter glorifies her actions: "Author's Team - Against the text: Our Palestinian history is filled with many names of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the homeland. Among them is the martyr Dalal al-Mughrabi, who, through her struggle, created a picture of defiance and heroism that has made her memory eternal in our hearts and minds. The text before us discusses an aspect of her struggle."

(From the lesson objectives list in the teacher’s guide - The Arabic Language, Grade 5):

• To mention the name of the group led by Dalal and the number of its members. • To determine Dalal's age when she fell as a martyr.

• To clarify the purpose of the bus hijacking carried out by Dalal and her group. • To detail the battle's outcome between the occupying forces and Dalal's group. Dalal al-Mughrabi appears as a role model in other textbooks and teacher guides. For instance, students must "write a report on the Palestinian fighter Dalal al-Mughrabi."

(From the teacher’s guide in “Social Studies,” Grade 9)

Part D

D. Antisemitism and Indoctrination Promoting the Destruction of Israel in Teachers' Union Statements

The General Union of Palestinian Teachers (GUPT) is a Palestinian organization represented in the Palestinian National Council. The PLO established the union in 1969 16 as a professional trade union body named the General Union of Teachers in Palestine, serving as a professional framework for teachers in the Palestinian diaspora, Judea and Samaria, and Gaza. Among its founders were Abu Mazen and Salah Khalaf, and

in its early years, it primarily operated in the form of committees for Palestinian teachers in Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait, and Iraq. 17

Incitement and Delegitimization of Israel Among the objectives of the association in the international arena: 18 02 “Documenting relations with friendly associations and organizations to fight Zionism and global imperialism.” 03 “Exposing the methods of Israeli occupation at the Arab and international levels; expanding the boycott against the occupying state and combating normalization in all its forms.” 19 04

The union and its Secretary-General, Saed Erziqat, have shared content

16 About Us | General Union of Palestinian Teachers (archive.org) 17 https://did.li/eyxIw 18 الرؤية و الرسالة-منظمة التحرير الفلسطينية (www.plo.ps) 19 PLO Official Website

that encourages terrorism and demonization against Israel, particularly since the massacre on October 7. For example, on October 10, just days after the massacre, the union issued an official statement effectively supporting Hamas's actions. 20 Here is the complete translation: “How many small camps have prevailed over larger ones, with Allah’s permission. Allah is with those who stand firm.” (Surat Al-Baqarah, Verse 249, Translation: Uri Rubin).

Our Palestinian people who pursue justice 05

Today, our Palestinian people are conducting their most magnificent campaign ever . How could it be otherwise, as they are making this oppressive occupation taste the humiliation and disgrace, showing that the faces of its soldiers are wallowing in the mud of defeat by a group of our best Palestinian people, as proof to the entire world that this land is not vast enough except for [one] identity, the identity of the landowners and those with the right?

Brothers and Sisters 06

“The violent Israeli bombardment, targeting civilian homes, residential towers, mosques, and universities, only proves the struggle of the criminal occupation and its inability to fight the heroes of the Palestinian resistance . Therefore, it sought an illusory victory to restore its army's prestige, which the resistance heroes had torn apart and trampled under their feet . Its response has come against unarmed civilians, ignoring all international conventions and laws, and it has shown everyone its Nazi face , forgetting that nothing will divert this people from realizing its dream: the defeat of this occupier and the forceful capture of his independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.“

20 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=629334456067358&set=a.558455056488632&l ocale=ar_AR

Part D

07 In another post on the official Facebook page, the union called for a comprehensive strike following the “cowardly attack on the national leader Salah al-Arouri.” 21 08

In August 2022, Saed Erziqat appeared on the official PA television to “explain” the intentions behind the remarks of PA President Mahmoud Abbas, who stated that Israel had committed “50 Holocausts.” He also mentioned that the teachers' union sent a letter to its counterpart in Germany saying that the massacres against Palestinians were more severe than the Holocaust itself. 22 09 In December 2022, following the death of the terrorist Nasser Abu-Hmeid, a founder of the “Al-Aqsa Brigades” who was sentenced to nine life imprisonments for 13 different charges, Saed Erziqat publicly expressed support for him and announced that the teachers' organization would lead marches in schools in the Palestinian territories the following day, in honor of Abu-Hmeid's actions. 23

21 The Facebook page of the General Union of Palestinian Teachers 22 Palestinian media watch ; Antisemitism report of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism for 2023, pp. 53-60. 23 The Facebook page of Erezikat, and see the extensive glorification of Abu Hamid by the PA

Part E

E. Antisemitism and Indoctrination Promoting the Destruction of Israel in Summer camps for students

01 The PLO conducts annual summer camps in the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria, and East Jerusalem. The purpose of these summer camps is to serve as a complementary framework to the school year. In practice, they also supplement the content taught in formal education throughout the school year regarding the attitude towards Israel and the conflict as a whole. 02 The camps are held under the auspices of the Palestinian High Council for Youth and Sports, which is subordinate to the PLO, headed by the Secretary of the Fatah Central Committee, Jibril Rajoub. 24 In 2023, about 65,000 children participated in the summer camps. 25 The 650 camps were called “Lights, Not Numbers.” 02 Rajoub said at the closing ceremony that “the name ‘Lights, Not Numbers’ was chosen out of a firm belief that "our martyrs are lights who sacrificed their lives for the homeland" and that they were and will remain in the memory of the people.” 26 24 This chapter is primarily based on materials from the MEMRI Institute for Middle East Media Research. See: PLO Summer Camps (A): Praise and Glorification of Terrorists (memri.org.il); PLO Summer Camps (B): Encouragement of Non-Recognition of Israel and Calls for the Return of Palestinian Refugees to It (memri.org.il); Summer Camp for Fatah Youth in Salfit: Weapons Lessons, Visits to Terrorists’ Graves, and Familiarization with Terrorist Operatives (memri.org.il) 25 The Palestinian Higher Council for Youth and Sports has previously received funding from the European Union and UN institutions and is considered a Palestinian body with which international organizations cooperate regarding the development of programs for Palestinian youth Return of Palestinian Refugees to It (memri.org.il); Summer Camp for Fatah Youth in Salfit: Weapons Lessons, Visits to Terrorists’ Graves, and Familiarization with Terrorist Operatives (memri.org.il) 26 https://t.me/hcyspalestine

Part E

Glorification of Terrorists 04

Children in the camps learned about terrorists who were presented as heroes and role models. For example, children were photographed in summer camps in Hebron and Bethlehem holding a picture of the terrorist Dalal al-Mughrabi.

Children in summer camps in Hebron and Bethlehem carrying posters with the image of Dalal al-Mughrabi

05 A child in a camp in Bethlehem holds up a picture of the suicide bomber in the Mahane Yehuda market (2002), Andalib al-Takatka. Six people were injured and over 80 were killed in the attack. 06 The PLO and Fatah movement organized summer camps in Judea and Samaria, some of which had a military focus. For example, at a camp organized by "Al-Shabiba," the youth wing of the Fatah movement,

in cooperation with the "National Security Forces of the Palestinian Authority" in Salfit, students were taught how to assemble and disassemble weapons, practice weapon hijacking, evacuate casualties in a simulated emergency, and learn about the history of the Palestinian people's struggle.

Children and teenagers practicing weapon hijacking alongside assembling and disassembling Kalashnikov rifles with blindfolds under the guidance of national security officers of the Palestinian National Security

07 The Governor of Salfit under the PA, Abdullah Kmeil, stated that the Fatah movement “emphasizes the oath to the martyrs to complete the path to establishing the Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital” and added the educational importance of the summer camp for its young activists. 08 During a summer camp activity in Salfit, the campers were taken on a tour of the cemetery in the Jenin refugee camp, where they learned about the terrorists from the “Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades” of the Fatah movement and from the “Al Quds Brigades” of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, who were killed in an Israeli military operation to eradicate terror in the refugee camp in 2023.

Part E

Delegitimization of Israel 09

In addition to glorifying terrorists - the dead and imprisoned - in the various activities in the camps, children are indoctrinated in a way that denies tthe State of Israel’s right to exist. Here are some notable examples:

On the right: Children at a summer camp in Hebron create a map that includes the areas of Israel. On the left: A girl at a summer camp in the Gaza Strip holding a map model of Israeli territories with the inscription 'Palestine'.

10 Cities in Israel - Lod, Safed, Beit Shean, Nazareth, Beer Sheva, Ashkelon, Ramla, Haifa, Jaffa, Acre, and Tiberias - are presented as Palestinian cities in a summer camp in Jenin. 11

A girl in a summer camp in the Gaza Strip with a creation of a “Palestine” map, where Israeli territories are marked in the colors of the Palestinian flag.

Part F

01 According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, more than 200,000 students are enrolled in Palestinian universities and colleges in Gaza and Judea and Samaria. 27 02 In recent years, Israel thwarted several terrorist attacks that were planned by terrorists on Palestinian university perimeters in Judea and Samaria. 28 For instance, on September 24, 2023, an eight-member cell of Hamas-affiliated students was arrested on the campus of Birzeit University. They had weapons intended for terrorist attacks against Israeli facilities. 29 The cell was recruited and directed by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and its members were arrested on the university campus. According to the Israel Security Agency, Birzeit University is a fertile ground for recruiting operatives for terrorist organizations due to the university administration's policy, which, under the guise of freedom of expression, allows the promotion of hate speech and support for terrorist attacks. Young men and women are also recruited for such activities. 30 Similarly, terrorist cells arrested at An-Najah31 and Al-Quds universities, had planned suicide attacks in Israel and facilitated transferring funds to terrorism. 32 F. Antisemitism and Indoctrination Promoting the Destruction of Israel in the Higher Education system of the Palestinian Authority

27 https://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_Rainbow/Documents/Education2020_A.html 28 https://www.shabak.gov.il/reports/publications/1332017/ https://www.shabak.gov.il/ reports/publications/%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%96%D7%99%D7%AA/ 29 https://www.shabak.gov.il/reports/publications/%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%96%D7 %99%D7%AA/ 30 https://www.shabak.gov.il/reports/publications/%D7%A1%D7%99%D7%9B%D7%95%D7 %9C/ 31 https://did.li/rdGTY 32 https://www.shabak.gov.il/reports/publications/newitem231215/

Part F

03 Following the massacre conducted by Hamas and other terrorist organizations on October 7th, inciting calls on the social media pages of student cells were recorded. For example, the "Union

of Student Councils and the Youth Movement [Shabiba] of the Polytechnic University" published a statement supporting the attack in Hebron. It stated: "In support and solidarity with our brothers, the resistance fighters. There is nothing more precious than the homeland. Stand up to support the resistance everywhere and by all possible means . Glory, honor, and eternity to the righteous martyrs. This is a revolution until victory ." 33 04 On October 27, 2023, another post was uploaded on the same Facebook page, encouraging the killing of Jews and stating that not a single Jew should remain in "Palestine." It should be noted that the original post was later removed. 34

Prominent Activities of the Student Cells 05

Despite the rivalry between student cells, cross-organizational events in support of terrorism have also taken place. For example, on April 10, 2022, a solidarity event for terrorists from Jenin was held at the Polytechnic, with the participation of student cells from all organizations. The Dean of Students of the Polytechnic

Activists dressed in explosive belts alongside children during an activity of the Hamas student cell at Birzeit during the student union elections (2023). 36

33 https://palwatch.org/page/34716 34 there

35 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdHNNFPDXVY 36 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r0BB5QPF_Q

participated in the event, and banners supporting the Tel Aviv attack were raised. 35 Following the results of the latest elections, the Hamas student cell has been prominent in holding processions, demonstrations, and incitement events at the universities: 06 The Fatah student cell regularly holds military parades on university grounds in Judea and Samaria. The parades include students simulating suicide bombers while glorifying the figures of past suicide bombers. 37 For example, masked individuals in military uniforms waving pictures of convicted terrorists participated in a parade held on January 4, 2023, at Birzeit University.. 38 On a day marking the death of Yasser Arafat, armed activists appeared in the parade. 39 07 Carrying Pictures of Terrorists, Including Dalal Mughrabi, During a Fatah Student Cell Parade in Hebron (2023) 40

Similarly, on December 13, 2022, the student cell of the designated terrorist organization "The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine" (PFLP) held a military parade on the campus of Birzeit University in Ramallah to mark the 55th anniversary of the PFLP's establishment. Masked activists participated in the parade, carrying fake explosive belts and rockets. 41 A similar event took place the previous year, during which PFLP student activists performed the Nazi salute. 42

From the Military Parade of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine at Birzeit (December 2021)

37 https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/he/%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9D- %D7%94%D7%A9%D7%A0%D7%94-%D7%9C%D7%94%D7%A7%D7%9E%D7%AA- %D7%A4%D7%AA%D7%97-%D7%A6%D7%95%D7%99%D7%9F- %D7%91%D7%90%D7%95%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%91%D7%A8%D7%A1%D7%99%D7%9 8%D7%90%D7%95%D7%AA/ https://www.memri.org.il/cgi-webaxy/item?4612 38 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg9d6p0Domw 39 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEu3Xe1cR7I 40 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fdZlIFOBrE 41 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fdZlIFOBrE 42 https://www.memri.org/reports/defying-ban-military-activity-campus-students palestinian-authority-birzeit-university-hold

Part G

G. Antisemitism and Indoctrination Promoting the Destruction of Israel in UNRWA Institutions 43

01 In recent years, numerous studies have shown that the UNRWA educational system promotes anti-Israel indoctrination. The studies showed that the agency's textbooks are filled with content that encourages violence, and the academic staff advocates for terrorism against Jews and the State of Israel. 44 Involvement of UNRWA Employees in the October 7 Events 02 In November 2023, the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education (IMPACT-se) published a study that revealed the direct connection between the content taught in UNRWA school textbooks and the massacres of October 7. The study detailed the profiles of 18 Hamas terrorists who were graduates of UNRWA schools, providing evidence from Hamas’ website that confirmed their deaths following terrorist activities they carried out. Moreover, the study also indicated that, according to Hamas sources, over 100 members of the organization had graduated from the UNRWA education system. 45 Additionally, there were numerous instances of support for the Hamas massacre by UNRWA teaching staff. Here are some notable examples: • Afaf Taleb – Teacher at a UNRWA school in Gaza On October 23, 2023, he wrote in a post: "Allah, punish them as they deserve, turn their actions into their destruction, O Allah, destroy the Jews and their 43 See the report of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs and the Fight Against Antisemitism, April 2024 https://digitaler.cld.bz/ministry-of-diaspora-unrwa 44 https://www.impact-se.org/wp-content/uploads/UNRWA-Produced-Study-Materials-in the-Palestinian-Territories%E2%80%94Jan-2021.pdf 45 https://www.impact-se.org/wp-content/uploads/UNRWA-Education-Textbooks-and Terror-Nov-2023.pdf 46 https://www.facebook.com/teather.afaf/posts/pfbid02KJxEQ4vAhF9wvsDCrLjKJ9WPiTZXq c1J6ojH1n9AxfR25ZegExe7xfTK1kUcmSh5l

supporters, Amen." additionally, his Facebook page featured a profile and cover photo of Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades operative Sohail Farid, who was killed in Gaza in 2014. 46

• Ranoosh Salah – Teacher at a UNRWA school in Gaza On October 7, 2023, he praised the massacre events and wrote on Facebook: "This is a glorious morning that will not be forgotten 7/10/2023. May Allah bless the youth of Gaza." 47 • Maha Abd-Alkarim – Teacher at a UNRWA school in Gaza

On October 22, 2023, she posted a picture with a Quranic verse (Surah 45, Ayah 54), which refers to the defeat of the infidels and hints at the defeat of Israel: "The assembly will be defeated, and turn back," and above the picture, she added, "It's either us or us." 48

Educational Content Below are recent examples of content, illustrations, and messages that suggest the current political reality (where Israel exists) is temporary until students return to all parts of "Palestine," including Israeli cities like Jaffa and Acre. • Al-Bureij Girls' Primary School – االبتدائية البريج بنات A Facebook post on December 23, 2022, shared a photo of a lesson titled ״ Palestine, the Ancient Homeland of Humanity." During the lesson, t he students were taught about the borders of "Greater Palestine," as presented in their textbooks. They were given worksheets with a map; some students even wore crowns with the names of Palestinian cities on them. The students were also asked to label the original names of the Palestinian towns on a blank map of "Palestine," there was a map of "Greater Palestine" on the right side of the board. 49 47 https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0G4tpgJARUVHqR3kfZw6dfJy ZNPQkdMPiXy2KzL6KBceQ7Kbhg5uMzup78uD55YQGl&id=100007228874296 48 https://www.facebook.com/maha.abedalkareem/posts/pfbid02tUFdqiqKtXVfz8yMXHur9r W7wYoaigjCMTBUFhZRVvsAB3pLZttVHuQ7P6urNx8pl 49 https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbi

Part G

Photos from the lesson on "Palestine," December 2022

• Deir al-Balah Girls' Middle School A – أ " اإلعدادية البلح دير بنات " On December 15, 2022, a picture was posted on the school's Facebook account. The photo showed a map of the Levant countries on a classroom wall. Note that Israel's place on the map was labeled as "Palestine." 50 This same map was also included in a sixth-grade textbook, which referred to the Levant countries as: "Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine."

50 https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=658865529395296&set=pcb.658865542728628

Part H

01 Senior officials in the Palestinian Authority, district governors, and municipal officials are responsible for glorifying terrorists by organizing official rallies, naming streets and squares after terrorists, and holding sport events in their honor. The systematic commemoration and glorification of terrorists during official events create role models for children and teens. 1. Moreover, the Simchat Torah 7/10 massacre is explained by senior PA officials and Abbas' circle as a natural response to Israeli actions; it is not classified as terrorism and, therefore, is not condemned. 2. In an interview with Al Jazeera (January 16, 2024), Fatah Central Committee member Abbas Zaki stated that "Fatah's ideology is the liberation of all Palestinian land , despite its involvement in peace agreements with Israel." He also said, "As long as [Hamas military leader] Mohammed Deif is walking on his feet, we [the Palestinians] are in a good state." 51 3. Fatah Central Committee Secretary Jibril Rajoub similarly referred (November 22, 2023) to the Hamas massacre: "What happened on October 7 is not terrorism but a natural response to Israel's terrorism." 52 According to him (August 6, 2024), Yahya Sinwar is a "pragmatic," "realistic" person whom Israel is demonizing. 53 H. Antisemitism and Indoctrination Promoting the Destruction of Israel by the Palestinian Authority (PA) from the Establishment

4. Similarly, Minister of Women's Affairs Mona al Khalili posted a video in English and Arabic on her profile on October 11, 2023, stating that "what is happening are acts of resistance, not terrorism. This is called occupied Palestine, not Israel. Take a close look at the war of October 7." 54

51 https://www.memri.org.il/cgi-webaxy/item?6049 52 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4ccr45z5XA 53 https://www.memri.org.il/cgi-webaxy/item?6202 54 https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1169443977792285

Part H

02 In 2023, the PA Chairman, Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), held two events honoring the children of martyrs and prisoners at the Presidential Headquarters in Ramallah: On July 1, the "Mahmoud Abbas Foundation" 55 held a festival for the children of prisoners at the Presidential Headquarters in the presence of Mahmoud Abbas himself. 56 On April 23, the Mahmoud Abbas Foundation organized a festival for the children of ״ martyrs ״ at the Presidential Headquarters, with Mahmoud Abbas in attendance. The event was broadcast to Gaza. Among the ״ martyrs ״ whose families were invited to the festival were the terrorist Hamdi Abu Diya, a released prisoner and officer in the Palestinian security forces who opened fire on Israeli soldiers in 2023, 57 and Mohammad al-Trifi, who belonged to the Islamic Jihad Movement and was shot by a sniper during clashes in Ramallah in 2014. 58 03 On the occasion of Eid al-Adha (June 2024), district governors laid wreaths on behalf of the PA Chairman, Mahmoud Abbas, at monuments and cemeteries of ״martyrs״. 59

The Governor of Jenin, Kamal Abu al Rub (in a black suit in the center), at a square with a statue of the map of "Palestine" in the background. 60

55 https://www.maf.ps/en 56 https://www.wafa.ps/pages/details/73998 57 https://www.kan.org.il/content/kan-news/defense/243151/ 58 بحضور السيد الرئيس..مؤسسة محمود عباس تقيم مهرجان أبناء الشهداء (youtube.com) 59 Governor of Tubas; Governor of Salfit; Governor of Jericho 60 https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=468187295864179&set=pcb.468184662531109

04 Alongside statues of maps of "Palestine," the commemoration of terrorists and ״ martyrs ״ in public places is a widespread phenomenon in the Palestinian Authority through monuments, 61 squares, streets, school names, and more. 62 05

On September 30, 2022, the Nablus Municipality inaugurated a monument in honor of Ibrahim al-Nabulsi, one of the founders of the "Lion's Den" terrorist organization. Al-Nabulsi was responsible for a series of shooting attacks in Judea and Samaria. Municipal representatives and the family of the deceased attended the inauguration ceremony. The names of other individuals who lost their lives are also engraved on the monument. 06 A street in Ramallah was named after Yahya Ayyash , a senior member of Hamas's military wing in the 1990s, who was responsible for preparing explosives and car bombs used in attacks, including deadly suicide bombings that claimed the lives of dozens of Israeli civilians and injured hundreds. 63

61 See, for example, the dedication of a monument in honor of Mohand al-Khalabi in the town of Sarda. The town’s mayor noted that ‘this is the least that can be done for the martyr,’ pointing out that al-Khalabi is a source of pride and honor for the town and its residents. It should be mentioned that al-Khalabi killed two Israeli civilians in a stabbing attack on Gai Street in Jerusalem in 2015 62 https://www.palwatch.org.il/main.aspx?fi=157&doc_id=21455 https://pnn.ps/news/62736 https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=182403586427273 63 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpkeIpiPSoQ

Appendices

Appendices: The Palestinian Authority's Education System: Background, Data, and Funding

The Palestinian Authority was established in May 1994. In August of that year it took over education responsibiliies from the Israeli Civil Administration. According to PCBS, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the following data present the state of the educational system in Judea and Samaria during the 2023 school year, with a budget of 3.45 billion NIS (19.5% of the overall budget): 64 • The number of school students was 1,382,932 boys and girls (about 2.4 million children aged 0 to 18, representing 44% of the total population). 65 • 3,190 schools across Judea and Samaria and Gaza (2,394 in Judea and Samaria region and 796 in Gaza). 66 • A teaching staff of about 62,000 teachers. 67 Foreign funding for the Palestinian educational system and UNRWA. • The Palestinian education system, in particular, like the PA in general, rely heavily on foreign aid. 68 The main contributors are the European Union, 69 countries within the EU, and the United States (primarily to UNRWA). • In July 2024, the European Union announced an additional grant to the PA, and included in the funding announcement their expectations for progress in a series of reforms, including in the educational sector. 70

64 موازنة المواطن | وزارة التربية والتعليم (citizenbudget.ps) 65 https://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_Rainbow/Documents/Students_en.html 66 Central Bureau of Statistics of the Authority; https://wafa.ps/Pages/Details/68954 67 Central Bureau of Statistics of the Authority 68 See, for example, the European Union Factsheet: EU support to Palestinians (Europa. eu) 69 Palestine* - European Commission (Europa. eu) 70 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_3823, And see also p. 23 in particular European Joint Strategy 2021-2024.PDF (Europa.eu)

• Also, that year, education expenses for Gaza, Judea, and Samaria accounted for 31% of UNRWA's total expenditures, amounting to approximately $450 million, led by the United States and the European Union. 71 • The World Bank is among the most active entities in funding teacher training programs. In February 2024, the Bank announced a $30 million grant for Palestinian education. 72

Methodology

01 The following report focuses on the year 2023 and reviews the different elements of the Palestinian Authority’s educational system in Judea and Samaria, primarily in the context of the conflict with Israel and attitudes toward Israel and Jews. 02 The report examines several key aspects, including teacher guides and textbooks, the Palestinian Teachers' Union, activities that took place on school premises, content and activities on official school social networks, PLO and Fatah summer camps (including those in Gaza), UNRWA schools and teaching staff in Gaza, activities at prominent universities in Judea and Samaria, and public statements and activities of senior Palestinian Authority (PA) and Fatah officials. 03 In this context, our sincere thanks and deep appreciation are extended to research institutes and civil society organizations for their crucial work monitoring the Palestinian Authority and Palestinian agitators over many years. 71 See the annual report of UNRWA 2023, aor_2023_-_english_-_final.pdf (unrwa.org). And for details at the country level list_of_2023_confirmed_pledges_by_all_donors.pdf (unrwa.org) ; top_20_donors_overall_ranking_2023.pdf (unrwa.org) ; The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) allocated $500 million, some of which was for ‘peacebuilding and conflict resolution.’ It should be noted that the agency provided over $5.5 billion between 1994 and 2021. See https://www.usaid.gov/west-bank-and-gaza/ our-work 72 https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2024/02/21/world-bank-group supports-delivery-of-essential-education-services-in-the-west-bank

Insights and Call to Action The official educational system of the Palestinian Authority (PA), in the context of the conflict with Israel, is composed of two intertwined focus areas that demand action: • Delegitimization of the very existence of the State of Israel and its Jewish inhabitants in any part of the land; denial of Jewish history in the land and of their sacred sites; demonization of Israel and Jews. • A call for the violent struggle to liberate all the land, including the territory of Israel, within its 1967 borders. Glorification of terrorism and its perpetrators is an integral part of this struggle, with the accompanying implication of encouraging the killing of Jews. In light of the significant escalation in Palestinian terrorism and violence, it can be concluded, after decades of research, that the Palestinian Authority’s education system instills in the next generation a mindset of being "ready" for the future destruction of Israel and its citizens The international community, with an emphasis on Western countries, led by the United States, must stop looking the other way, and instead compel the Palestinian Authority to promote a new educational framework: One that cherishes life instead of the culture of death and the eradication of Zionism; explicitly recognizes the legitimacy of Israel's existence and the presence of its Jewish citizens in the land; and install a mindset of resolving the conflict solely through peaceful means. The international community, particularly the European Union, should take significant and practical steps: • Condition financial support for the PA’s educational system on a shift from incitement to war against Israel to education for peace with Israel. • Establish an effective oversight mechanism to remove content, insinuations, and illustrations that encourage terrorism and antisemitism from the educational curriculum. • Set up a monitoring system for the teaching staff and the Palestinian Teachers' Union, including UNRWA, to prevent involvement in terrorism and incitement to terrorism. • Increase supervision over the content and funding of supplementary educational frameworks such as summer camps, official social networks, higher education, and do more to prevent them from becoming breeding grounds for terrorism. Disclaimer: The website includes creations / materials of unknown copyright and ownership or by authors and/or owners who have not been located by the Ministry, in accordance with Section 27A of the Copyright Act -2007. With regards to these creations / materials, the Ministry welcomes any information regarding the identity of the owners at israelinfo@pmo.gov.il

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