In November 2023, Israel's national broadcaster, Kan, posted a video on its official platform X showcasing
Israeli children singing a song that disturbingly glorified the ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.
The video, which sparked an immense outcry online, was promptly removed by the broadcaster.
This incident sent shockwaves around the globe, as people were horrified to witness children joyously
singing about the eradication of an entire population within a year. However, upon examining Israeli
literature and educational materials more closely, it becomes evident that this alarming incident was not an
isolated event, but rather a direct result of Israel's systematic and, frankly, blunt indoctrination of its
youth. This education system, steeped in bias, ensures that Israeli children grow up without recognizing the
humanity of Palestinians, thus perpetuating a cycle of apartheid and occupation.
Table of Contents:
Nurit Peled-Elhanan, an esteemed Israeli philologist and professor of language and education at the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem, is a dedicated translator and activist. She is recognized for her pioneering
research on the depiction of Palestinians in Israeli textbooks. Her work sheds light on the problematic
narratives within these educational materials, which she has criticized as being anti-Palestinian.
Her seminal work, "Palestine in Israeli School Books," is an invaluable resource for those seeking a deeper
understanding of the underlying biases in the Israeli state and society. This book is a critical tool for
anyone interested in uncovering the obscured truths about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and how the
Israelis get manipulated to hate the Arabs.
In a revealing interview, Peled-Elhanan pointed out the disturbing trend in Israeli official schoolbooks,
which often ignore the existence of Palestinians or promote a "racist discourse" against them. She
highlights the erasure of Palestine in these texts, noting that the maps used in schools exclusively depict
"the Land of Israel," extending from the river to the sea, effectively eliminating Palestine from both the
geographical and educational landscape. This alarming practice underscores the need for a more balanced and
truthful representation of the region's history and current realities.
During Israel’s brutal massacre in the Gaza Strip between 2008 and 2009, Israel's then-Foreign Minister Tzipi
Livni made a misleading statement, claiming that "Palestinians teach their children to hate us, and we teach
love thy neighbor." This narrative, unfortunately, found echoes in the remarks of figures like US Secretary of
State
Hillary Clinton
and Newt Gingrich, who unjustly accused Palestinian schoolbooks of promoting
anti-Semitism. These unfounded accusations seem to have stemmed from biased sources such as Itamar Marcus of the
"Palestinian Media Watch," known for his anti-Palestinian stance.
Contrary to these claims, the work, "Palestine in Israeli School Books" by Professor Nurit Peled-Elhanan offers
a revealing counter-narrative. Peled-Elhanan's research, which delves into 17 Israeli textbooks covering
history, geography, and civic studies, sheds light on the systemic bias and anti-Arab racism ingrained in
Israeli education. Her findings demonstrate how these textbooks, regardless of the political leanings of the
education ministries at their time of publication, consistently promote narratives that justify and support
Israel's territorial expansion.
Professor Peled-Elhanan, with her expertise in semiotics, meticulously analyzes these textbooks, uncovering the
nuanced and often subtle ways in which anti-Palestinian sentiments are embedded within them. A striking aspect
of her analysis is the complete exclusion and absence of any positive representation of Palestinian culture and
society in these educational materials. She points out that none of the textbooks she studied include any
positive reference to Palestinian literature, poetry, history, agriculture, art, architecture, customs, or
traditions.
The portrayal of Palestinians, including Jewish Palestinian citizens of Israel, in these textbooks is
overwhelmingly negative and steeped in orientalist and demeaning stereotypes. Palestinians are routinely
depicted as terrorists, refugees, or primitive farmers – seen as 'problems' for Israel. For instance, a 1999
history textbook titled Modern Times II features just two images of Palestinians, both highly problematic: one
depicts stone-throwing children with concealed faces and the other, refugees in an unnamed street. Peled-Elhanan
describes this as a "strategy of negative representation," highlighting the frequent use of the term "the
Palestinian problem." This term, even used by writers considered “progressive,”, was salient in the
ultra-right-wing ideology and propaganda of Meir Kahane – notorious for his controversial anti-Arab and
ultranationalist stances in Israeli politics –. Meir Kahana was the late Israeli politician and rabi who openly
called for the Palestinians to be expelled.
Peled-Elhanan also exposes the crude Orientalist depictions of Arabs in these textbooks, reminiscent of European
illustrations from works like The Arabian Nights. Arab men are shown in traditional attire, often on camels,
while Arab women are portrayed as submissive, in traditional clothing. In stark contrast, Israeli figures are
depicted as ‘normal’ Western individuals. This stark juxtaposition reinforces the notion of Arabs as 'other' and
not belonging. According to Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper,
Israelis are being taught from the first grade to the grave to dehumanize Palestinians.
This reality starkly contrasts with the misleading stereotype about Palestinian educational materials. The
textbooks produced by the Palestinian Authority since the 1990s, often demonized as anti-Semitic in
anti-Palestinian rhetoric, do not promote such views. The discrepancy between the reality of Palestinian
education and the portrayal in Israeli textbooks underscores a significant bias, challenging the prevailing
narrative and calling for a more nuanced understanding of the complexities within the Israeli-Palestinian
educational landscapes.
Peled-Elhanan's research reveals a concerning bias in Israeli textbooks, where Israeli-Jewish culture and values
are often portrayed as superior to those of Arab-Palestinians. This skewed representation extends to historical
events, particularly those involving conflict.
The treatment of Israeli war crimes in these textbooks is equally troubling. Rather than confronting the harsh
realities of massacres and ethnic cleansing, these texts often minimize or justify such actions. For instance,
the Palestinian perspective is frequently presented as merely one possible interpretation, with phrases like
"According to the Arab version" or references to the Deir Yassin massacre being relegated to myth in the
Palestinian narrative. This approach starkly contrasts with the direct and unambiguous presentation of the
Israeli version as factual.
The Deir Yassin massacre of 1948, where around 100 Palestinians were brutally killed by Zionist militia groups,
exemplifies this bias. The textbooks often emphasize the negative perception of Israel resulting from such
events, yet they astonishingly overlook the actual horror of the massacre itself, which involved the killing of
innocent men, women, and children.
Peled-Elhanan’s study indicates that despite some improvements in Israeli textbooks during the 1990s, recent
editions have gotten worse, echoing the prejudiced and misrepresentative narratives of earlier decades. For
example, the Nakba, the forced expulsion of Palestinians in 1948, is frequently justified rather than
acknowledged as a tragic historical event. Shockingly, the Deir Yassin massacre is portrayed as a justified,
strategic act that facilitated the establishment of a Jewish state, with little to no regard for the human cost.
In his pivotal work "An Ugly Face in the Mirror – National Stereotypes in Hebrew Children’s Literature," Israeli
scholar Adir Cohen provides a compelling analysis of over 1700 Hebrew children's books published in Israel from
1967 to 1985. Astonishingly, Cohen discovered that a significant portion, around 520 of these books, portrayed
Palestinians in a deeply negative and humiliating light.
Cohen's research highlights that an overwhelming 66 percent of these books depicted Arabs as inherently violent;
52 percent painted them as evil; 37 percent as deceitful; 31 percent as greedy; 28 percent as duplicitous, and
27 percent as traitors. This consistent and pervasive negative portrayal has, over time, dehumanized
Palestinians in the eyes of many Israeli generations. It has framed them as the dangerous "other," normalizing
their mistreatment and even leading to disturbing instances, such as a 2023 state broadcaster's video where
children were shown celebrating the genocide of Palestinians.
Furthermore, the renowned Palestinian academic and literary critic Edward Said shed additional light on this
issue in his 1979 book, "The Question of Palestine." Said observed that Israeli children's literature is replete
with narratives of heroic Jews vanquishing deceitful and villainous Arabs, often given derogatory names like
Mastoul (crazy), Bandura (tomato), or Bukra (tomorrow). This narrative was so entrenched that, as a Haaretz
writer noted on September 20, 1974, these books predominantly revolve around the theme of "the Arab who murders
Jews for pleasure and the pure Jewish boy who defeats 'the coward swine!'"
Moreover, Israel's appropriation of the Holocaust's painful memory has played a role in desensitizing Israeli
children to the suffering of Palestinians. This narrative manipulation supports an unquestioning acceptance of
Israel's treatment of Palestinians, perpetuating a cycle of misunderstanding and conflict. This body of
literature not only reflects deep-seated biases but also contributes to sustaining them, underscoring the urgent
need for more balanced and empathetic representations in children's literature.
Peled-Elhanan’s book is one of the definitive accounts of just how Israeli schoolchildren are brainwashed by the
state and society into hatred and contempt of Palestinians and Arabs. This educational approach is particularly
concerning given that it precedes military service, a time when understanding and empathy are crucial.
Peled-Elhanan’s work thus stands as a definitive critique of how the Israeli education system contributes to the
perpetuation of conflict and misunderstanding between Israelis and Palestinians.
Date: 26-10-2023
In the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, there are Israelis who dare to speak out for peace and
justice, often at great personal cost. Among them is Meir Baruchin, a dedicated history and civics teacher with
three decades of experience in Israeli schools. His commitment to peace and empathy for all victims of the
conflict led to his imprisonment in the notorious ‘Russian Compound’ prison of Jerusalem in November 2023. His
alleged crime? Mourning the loss of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and voicing concerns over the military actions
of Israel.
In a poignant message shared on October 8, Baruchin expressed his grief over the tragic fate of the Abu Daqqa
family, deliberately murdered by the IOF in Gaza. “Horrific images are pouring in from Gaza. Entire families
were wiped out," he wrote, challenging his compatriots to reflect on the consequences of actions taken in the
name of revenge. “Anyone who thinks this is justified because of what happened yesterday should unfriend
themselves. I ask everyone else to do everything possible to stop this madness. Stop it now. Not later, Now!!!”
Baruchin's stance, however, has not been without consequences. In a society where such views are often
marginalized, he had previously lost a teaching position in Rishon LeZion, near Tel Aviv for similar views. His
current predicament, facing accusations of treason for mourning civilian casualties and criticizing military
actions, is a telling sign of the challenges faced by those who advocate for the rights and recognition of
Palestinian suffering.
Baruchin's situation is a reflection of a broader issue in Israeli society, where those who dissent from the
dominant narrative about the Palestinian territories and Israeli military actions face severe consequences. He
noted the tendency of the Israeli government to label critics as supporters of Hamas, saying, “I became a ‘Hamas
supporter’ because I expressed my opposition to targeting innocent civilians”. The Israeli government has a long
list of accusing people, organizations, and countries of Hamas supporters, being an extensive arm of Hamas, and/
or antisemitism for simply expressing criticism.
Another case is that of Yael Ayalon, a high school teacher in Tel Aviv, who faced backlash after sharing an
article from Haaretz. The article highlighted the suffering of civilians in Gaza, which was not widely reported
in Israeli media. “Israeli citizens need to be aware of this reality,” the piece said.
Ayalon's action led to student riots and her subsequent legal battle to be reinstated. Despite winning her case,
she faced further hostility upon her return to school.
Her students rioted in the school after news of the post spread; she took her employers to a tribunal and was
reinstated, but when she returned to school she was attacked again by students chanting, “Go home”.
Photographs on the internet are showing Israelis, some as young as children, writing messages on artillery
shells bound for targets
in Gaza, in the ongoing genocide. These shells are reportedly aimed not only at Hamas targets but also at
civilian populations. A report of the
US intelligence assessment
finds that Israel used nearly half of their
munitions dropped on Gaza are imprecise ‘dumb’ bombs.
On December 6 Rotem Achihun, a presenter for Israel’s Kan News, was seen inscribing a message on an artillery
shell, “to Gaza with love”. The consequences of the conflict are dire, particularly for the Palestinian
civilians in Gaza. Reports suggest that in just two months, over 20,000 civilians have been slaughtered by the
Israelis and nearly
70% were women and children.
In a concerning development, there's news of a fundraiser where a donation of $180 to the Israeli Defense Forces
(IDF) allegedly grants the donor a personalized message on a missile. This was highlighted by Elan Kornblum on
November 13, 2023, on Facebook, showcasing artillery inscribed with ‘GKR Foodies stands with Israel’. This claim
suggests that contributing financially to the IDF could result in a personal message on a weapon.
There’s news of a fundraiser where a donation of $180 to the terrorist’s army, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF)
grants the donor a personalized message on a missile. This was highlighted by Elan Kornblum on November 13,
2023, on Facebook, showcasing artillery inscribed with ‘GKR Foodies stands with Israel’.
This practice has drawn criticism. It has been seen as a stark representation of the ongoing conflict and the
power imbalances involved. Mark Regev, Senior Adviser to Benjamin Hitler, commented on an image displaying
critical messages toward Israel written on missiles. Speaking to Sky News Australia's
Piers Morgan,
Regev remarked, “Obviously, this is some soldiers trying to be funny or creative,” attempting to downplay the
gravity
of such actions. He referenced historical instances of soldiers marking shells, a practice seen in various
militaries, to justify this behavior. “But there is a history here going back to the First World War, is there
not of soldiers drawing pictures on shells and so forth; it’s something that soldiers have done… I think British
soldiers have done it; American soldiers have done it.”
However, this tradition, while not new, raises serious ethical questions. A notable instance from 2006 involved
young Israeli girls writing messages on shells near Kiryat Shmona. This event, and others like it, have been met
with widespread condemnation, but not only in the Arab world.
The United States' financial support for Israel's military atrocities, particularly through bomb funding, is a
significant factor in the ongoing conflict. In a notable move, the United States House of Representatives,
predominantly under Republican leadership, approved a substantial $14.5 billion military aid package for Israel.
This move underscores the deep-seated alliance between the two nations. Moreover, the Biden administration has
twice circumvented Congress to greenlight arms sales to Israel, reflecting a continuous and robust support
system. The first of these sales amounted to over $106 million, followed by a second, larger sale of $147.5
million.
This financial backing has tangible implications on the ground. On December 29, 2023, the U.S. State Department
announced that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had informed Congress of a second emergency decision. This
decision facilitated a $147.5 million sale, providing Israel with crucial components such as fuses, chargers,
and primers. These components are integral to the manufacturing of 155m shells, a cornerstone in Israel's
military arsenal. Critics argue that this support plays a pivotal role in what they describe as an ongoing
genocide against the Palestinian people. This perspective is shared by many who stand in solidarity with the
Palestinians and for human rights, viewing these actions as a direct contribution to the exacerbation of the
conflict and the suffering of Palestinian communities.
True and lasting change is unlikely to emerge from within Israeli society, given its nature as a
settler-colonial state. External pressure is crucial - countries like the U.S., the U.K., and their Western
allies must cease their (financial) support of this colonial regime and end their complicity in its oppressive
actions. Just as white South Africans were unwilling to relinquish their privileged status, so too are Zionist
Israelis unlikely to voluntarily abandon their dominant position.
The end of South African apartheid was a triumph for the South African people and their leaders, bolstered by
international solidarity. Similarly, the Palestinian resistance, with the support of a handful of Israeli
dissenters and a global solidarity movement, is key to overcoming Israeli apartheid.
A 2021 poll reported by
The Times of israel
revealed a disturbing trend among Israeli youth, with a significant proportion exhibiting animosity towards Arabs.
Palestinians continually face the threat of displacement, losing their lands to make way for Jewish families or
infrastructure. The opening of Route 4370 near Jerusalem, dubbed the
"Apartheid Road,"
exemplifies this, as it is exclusively for Jewish use.
In May 2021, Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem, protested against Israel's plans to forcibly
evict them for Jewish settlers. These families, many of whom were already refugees, were again facing
displacement by Israeli forces. When Israeli authorities moved in, the possessions – including furniture – of
these families were disregarded, and they were even told to expect bills for the legal and eviction costs.
Amnesty International’s
research highlights Israel's system of oppression and domination over Palestinians in
all territories under its control, including the concentration camp
Gaza Strip.
Israel's laws, policies, and practices perpetuate a harsh regime of control over Palestinians, resulting in
geographical and political fragmentation, poverty, and a pervasive climate of fear and insecurity.
Nabil el-Kurd, a Sheikh Jarrah resident evicted by Israeli forces, expressed dismay at the global community's
inaction, “I do not know why the entire world is watching what is happening and letting Israel get away with it.
It is time the world stopped spoiling Israel.”
Sadly, as long as ordinary citizens remain passive and governments continue to support and fund Israel, this
situation is likely to persist, underscoring the need for global awareness and action against these injustices.
We need to revolt against this injustice. That is why demonstrations are important.
See here for the next demonstration in your area
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