When will we finally recognize Hamas as a truly evil organization?

I’m an educator. According to most of my students I’m a fairly good one. My ethics, leadership and organizational development classes always rated high evaluative marks from my students whether they were in grad school, professional studies or undergrads. My pedagogy and my curricula forced them to think about themselves, their perspectives on life, and the world around them. In everything I try to get students to better, to work towards more caring in the world and a greater commitment to justice for all.

What has this got to do with Hamas? Let me explain.
“The latest Palestinian Authority elementary school textbooks are even more radical than previous editions, according to a report by the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education.” In an article in the Jerusalem Post this past Monday (03/04/17) it was reported that among other things “they teach pupils to become expendable martyrs and reject negotiations, while demonizing and denying the existence of the State of Israel…” The curricula includes “a commitment to an Arab Palestine encompassing the entirety of Israel”. How can we expect Israel to negotiate successfully with a group that is teaching their elementary-aged children in such a fashion?

The study was conducted by a professor at Hebrew University and looked at 45 textbooks in 2016. Here are some other notable moments in the report:
“One third grade textbook encourages children to become “martyrs” by using an illustration of pupils in the classroom looking at their friend’s empty desk with a sign that reads “The Martyr”.
“a fourth grade math textbook, asks pupils to computer how many martyrs died in the two intifadas combined”
“A political map in a third grade textbook shows Palestine in the entire territory of Israel. While neighbouring Arab countries are showen, Israel is not depicted.”
“Christianity is included in the elementary school curriculum, though negative messages about non-Muslims prevail and Jewish roots and connections to the land are entirely omitted.”

The author did note that there were some positives — “national institutions and authorities should be respected and that Islam is not to be used as a radical political tool.”

But the conclusion of the study noted that “the curriculum does not meet the UNESCO-derived standards of peace and tolerance in education”.

Maybe it is time that we ask our governments and our churches if they accept this kind of education. When all we hear are the poor treatment that Palestinians get at the hands of the Israelis, it strikes me that we have sadly missed a key point. The Palestinian government is actively making sure the next generation of citizens are already committed to a Israel-free world.

Good pedagogy and dynamic curricula could go a long way to bridging the current divide. If all these students were being taught about a two-state possibility, about the unethical use of suicide bombers, especially those who are under 21 years of age, about the possibilities for economic development in partnership with the Israelis, the North Americans, Christians, Jews, non-believers, whoever might be interested in investments — think about the results. It becomes mind-boggling the potential — it is frightening to realize the current reality.

Hamas could change all this in an instant — if within a year of campaigning the US can elect Donald Trump, Hamas could within a year completely transform its educational system. It might not immediately lessen some of the aggressive anti-peace attitudes of the adults, but it could certainly start some real conversations in each home, when the kids came in from school with positive attitudes towards a new order.

Come on church leaders — here’s your chance to get the ball rolling. Come out publicly for a new educational pedagogy and curricula for Palestine — one that gives hope to the next generation. And politicians — here’s your chance to aid the turn-around — offer money and talent to assist in the publication of new, open-minded, peace-oriented textbooks and curriculum guides. We have a good many under-employed educators in our country: share them with the Palestinian Authority (PA) for three years and let’s see what good might just come…let’s commit to helping the students in Palestine “get to better”.

Otherwise, quit supporting the PA in any way shape or form until the current educational policies are tossed out and declared ultra vires… it’s the least we can do for the sake of the kids.