Gershon Baskin of Israel/Palestine Center for Research and Information, in the JPost:
There is almost nothing in Israeli and Palestinian text books that teaches the students something objective or positive about the people they are in conflict with and with whom they hope to some day soon live with in peace….
The government of Israel and the PA need to pick up the challenge. Both
sides should appoint a national advisory committee on textbooks
empowered to review the textbooks taking into account the critiques
that have been raised over the past years and working on a set of
agreed criteria. There is a need for both governments to revise and
reform textbooks. Israeli textbooks teach too little about Arabs and
Palestinians. If Israel is calling for the Palestinians to revise and
reform their textbooks in the spirit of making peace, it must also look
inside its own classrooms and do the same. This would also be a serious
indication of intentions to make peace with the Palestinians.Both
sides should progress on this issue without regard for what the other
side is doing. This is not a question of negotiations, mutuality or
reciprocity.
Free speech is under attack—especially when it comes to Palestine.
From the censorship of student voices to the assassinations of journalists in Gaza, the cost of telling the truth about Palestine has never been higher. At Mondoweiss, we publish fearless reporting and critical analysis that others won’t touch—because we believe the public needs to know the truth about Palestine.
We’re funded by readers who believe in justice, transparency, and freedom of the press.
If you believe journalism should challenge power—not serve it—please make a donation today.
