Title: Examination of UNRWA's Curriculum Raises Concerns of Radicalization Among Palestinian Students
The CEO of IMPACT-SE, Marcus Scheff, recently testified before Congress, shedding light on the controversial curriculum used by UNRWA schools in Gaza. The curriculum, as exemplified by a translated grade seven science lesson, has raised concerns about the potential radicalization of Palestinian students.
During the lesson, Newton's second law was demonstrated through an illustration of a masked Palestinian boy wielding a slingshot aimed at approaching soldiers. Though the soldiers were not specifically identified as Israeli forces, the context strongly implies their presence as the region is predominantly occupied by Israeli soldiers. The students were then asked to identify the forces that affect an object after its release from a slingshot and a coil.
Scheff revealed that IMPACT-SE intends to recommend the cessation of funding for UNRWA because it has failed in its responsibility to educate children in a safe and unbiased environment. He argued that the curriculum, which contains daily incitements to violence and glorification of jihad and martyrdom, indoctrinates children into radical ideologies. The curriculum even celebrates violent acts such as attacking civilian buses using firebombs as a 'barbecue party,' while math lessons involve using martyrs of past intifadas in calculations.
The CEO highlighted the dangerous implications of such a curriculum, as the majority of terrorists who crossed the international border on October 7th, perpetrating acts of rape, murder, and beheading, likely graduated from UNRWA schools. He emphasized that UNRWA has utterly failed in its duty of care to students.
In response to a question about aid suspension amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis, Scheff clarified that IMPACT-SE focuses on promoting peace and tolerance in education rather than aid provision. However, he revealed that UNRWA itself requested the suspension of aid due to its inability to cope, indicating the need for more capable agencies to handle the situation.
Regarding the potential influence of terrorist group Hamas on the curriculum, Scheff maintained that it is indeed possible to implement an unbiased educational program in Gaza. He believes that textbooks play a crucial role in shaping attitudes and can serve as a barrier to radicalization. By reforming the curriculum, teaching peace, and instilling tolerance, societies can undergo transformative change.
The CEO noted that the international community has long been aware of UNRWA's curriculum, and recent reactions and calls for change demonstrate a growing sentiment that such indoctrination can no longer be tolerated or supported.
Scheff's testimony at the Congressional hearing on UNRWA promises to bring attention to the pressing need for educational reform in Gaza and the potential consequences of failing to address this issue effectively.
