Ministry for Diaspora Affairs | October 2024

Ignoring Israel and Its Jewish Inhabitants, Past and Present 14 A recurring theme in the denial of the Jews’ right to a national homeland or any rights to any part of the land; and 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.”

12 As mentioned, in the Palestinian narrative, the Jews have no rights to the land, only greedy aspirations. The teacher should remind the student to reflect on this: ‘The student should take time to think about the dangers of the Jews’ greedy aspirations concerning Palestine.’

(From a teacher’s guide, Arabic Language, 9th grade). 13 Following the outright rejection of the Balfour Declaration of 1917, there is no recognition of the Jews’ right to a national home in the land. This is reflected in the answer given to the question of whether to accept UN Resolution 194 from 1948 regarding the return of refugees to their homes on the condition that they live in peace with their neighbors: ’As for my opinion, it is: “I disagree, as it affirms the existence of a homeland for Jews in Palestine through the [requirement] to live in peace with their neighbors. [Then] how can we compensate for the property, losses, people, and motherland?”’

(“Teacher’s Guide, Geography and Modern History of Palestine,” 10th grade).

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