UNRWA teachers allegedly praised Hamas massacre: Report
Teachers Celebrate Hamas’s Terror Attacks on Israel, Report Finds
According to a report, several teachers and staff members from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) have been found celebrating Hamas’s terror attacks on Israel. This report, published by the Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education, reveals that 13 UNRWA staffers, including seven teachers, made social media posts applauding the Oct. 7 attacks or other violent actions by Hamas. UNRWA is responsible for providing relief and education to Palestinian refugees.
Some teachers even quoted verses from the Quran to glorify the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, which resulted in the deaths of numerous Israeli civilians, many of whom were in their own homes. One teacher, Bilal Ahmed, shared a verse that reads, “We sent against you servants of Ours—those of great military might, and they probed [even] into the homes, and it was a promise fulfilled.”
Another teacher reacted to a video of a rocket attack on Israel, describing it as “a splendid sight.”
In the days following the attack, other teachers shared videos showing assaults on Israeli Defense Forces soldiers.
The report also highlights a UNRWA school in the West Bank that posted a video of a rally in its courtyard, where a young boy prayed for victory in the “Jihad warriors'” fight against “the enemies of religion.”
When approached for comment, UNRWA communications director Juliette Touma rejected the report’s findings, dismissing them as sensationalized and based on flawed methodology and flimsy evidence. Touma also claimed that previous allegations from the same institute and other organizations included social media posts from former UNRWA personnel who left the agency years ago.
Touma further denied the institute’s claims of anti-Semitic content in UNRWA textbooks, stating that the agency has zero tolerance for hatred and violence. She emphasized that UNRWA maintains neutrality and regularly vets the textbooks and other materials used in its schools with the help of an international group of experts.
This is not the first time UNRWA has faced controversy regarding its involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In a 2022 report, the State Department discovered tunnels beneath two UNRWA schools that were used by terrorists to transport fighters and weapons. The agency has also been accused of promoting violence against Jews, glorifying terrorism, demonizing Israelis, and inciting anti-Semitism through its teaching materials.
How can UNRWA and other education systems ensure a stringent vetting process to prevent individuals with extremist or terrorist sympathies from infiltrating the teaching profession?
The attacks and express support for Hamas’s actions against Israel. This behavior, displayed by individuals responsible for educating young minds, raises serious concerns about the influence and indoctrination happening within UNRWA schools.
The report highlights the dangerous nexus between education and terrorism, as teachers, who are supposed to be shaping the minds of children and promoting peace, are instead inciting violence and supporting a terrorist organization. This not only violates ethical standards but also goes against the principles of education and the values upheld by the UNRWA.
It is deeply alarming to see educators openly endorsing and celebrating acts of terror. It not only undermines the peace process but also perpetuates a cycle of violence and extremism. Students, who are vulnerable and easily influenced, may internalize these hateful ideologies and be lured into joining extremist groups.
This report demonstrates the urgent need for UNRWA and other education systems to ensure the vetting process for teachers is stringent and comprehensive. The individuals responsible for educating children must be thoroughly screened to prevent any infiltration by individuals with extremist or terrorist sympathies.
Furthermore, there is a critical need for increased supervision and monitoring of classrooms to prevent the dissemination of radical ideologies. Education plays a vital role in shaping the future generations and promoting peace, and it is crucial that teachers adhere to the principles of tolerance, understanding, and respect. They must promote critical thinking and open dialogue rather than endorse violence and hatred.
The UNRWA, as an organization entrusted with the education and welfare of Palestinian refugees, must take immediate and decisive action. It must conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations and hold accountable those found guilty of supporting terrorism. Any staff member found to be involved in such activities should be dismissed from their positions and banned from working in education.
In addition, the UNRWA should prioritize implementing educational programs that promote peace, coexistence, and respect for human rights. It should include modules that encourage critical thinking, tolerance, and understanding of diverse perspectives. It is only through a comprehensive and balanced education system that the cycle of violence and hatred can be broken.
The international community must also play a role in holding UNRWA accountable. Donor countries should demand transparency and accountability from the organization to ensure that their funds are not being misused to promote extremism. They should exert pressure on UNRWA to reform its education system and eliminate any elements that contribute to radicalization.
Violence and terrorism will never lead to a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is through education and dialogue that a peaceful resolution can be achieved. The recent revelations regarding the celebration of Hamas’s terror attacks by UNRWA teachers should serve as a wake-up call for the international community to address the alarming indoctrination taking place within educational institutions. Only by promoting a culture of peace, understanding, and respect can we hope for a better future for both Israelis and Palestinians.
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