Council on American-Islamic Relations urges local libraries to adopt ‘suggested Palestine reading list’ for kids
Nihad Awad (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
An anti-Israel group whose founder said he was “happy to see” Hamas attack Israel is urging local libraries to feature children’s books that push propaganda against the Jewish state—including one that contends all of Israel belongs to “Palestine.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in late December released its “Palestine Beyond Borders” toolkit, which it said aims to “encourage libraries and bookstores to feature book displays on Palestine” and foster “a deeper appreciation for the multifaceted aspects of Palestinian history.” Included in the kit are a dozen children’s books, one of which calls on kids to “unlock all the truths about Palestine and educate everyone about its true history.”
That book, Baba, What Does My Name Mean?, takes a fictional child “refugee” on a “journey to Palestine,” which, according to a map displayed prominently at the beginning of the book, includes all land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. The map displays Tel Aviv, Haifa, and other Israeli cities as part of “Palestine,” the capital of which, according to the book, is Al-Quds, an Arabic name for Jerusalem. The book ends by stating that “through persistence and perseverance,” Palestinians will “one day … be free.”
About CAIR
CAIR, which did not return a request for comment, bills itself as “the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization.” It has deep ties to the White House and Democratic Party, with the Biden administration earlier this year tapping the group as a partner in its “National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.” In 2019, meanwhile, scores of congressional Democrats privately issued letters of support for CAIR ahead of the group’s Washington, D.C. gala, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote that CAIR has his “utmost thanks and appreciation” in a November 2022 letter.
Since then, CAIR’s leader, Nihad Awad, has praised Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
During a Nov. 24 speech, Awad said he “was happy to see” Gazans “break the siege” on Oct. 7 before arguing that “Israel, as an occupying power, does not have a right to defend itself.” CAIR also blamed Hamas’s attack on Israel, urging Congress to address the ”root cause of Mideast violence,” which it identified as the “Israeli government’s apartheid policies.”
Controversial Children’s Books
In addition to Baba, What Does My Name Mean?, the group’s toolkit features at least one children’s book that glorifies Palestinian terrorism.
P Is for Palestine, for example, promotes Palestinian “intifada,” which it says is “Arabic for rising up for what is right, if you are a kid or grownup!” Another book on CAIR’s list, Zain and Mima: Stand for Palestine, depicts two young children who are encouraged to protest against Israeli ”apartheid” and call for a “Free, Free Palestine.”
Author’s Controversial Views
The author of Baba, What Does My Name Mean?, Rifk Ebeid, has echoed Awad’s praise of Hamas and its Oct. 7 attack. Ebeid in an Oct. 16 Instagram post lauded the “Palestinian struggle for freedom and liberation from the shackles of Zionist colonialism and violence,” which she said “will be studied in history books and serve as a reminder to humanity of what human resilience looks like.” Just two days later, Ebeid falsely accused Israel of bombing a Gazan hospital in an “Israeli massacre” that she said killed “1000+ Palestinians.”
Links to Hamas
CAIR itself has been linked to Hamas. A federal judge in 2007 found “ample evidence to establish the association” between the two groups.
What is the best book on Palestine?
Books to Understand the Israel-Palestine Conflict A History of Israel. by Howard M, A History of Zionism. by Walter Laqueur, Arab and Jew. by David K, I Saw Ramallah. by Mourid Barghouti, In Search of Fatima. by Ghada Karmi, Jerusalem. by Simon Sebag Montefiore, Looking for Palestine. by Najla Said, My Promised Land. by Ari Shavit CAIR’s “Palestine Beyond Borders” toolkit promotes a list of controversial children’s books that push propaganda against Israel. One such book, titled “Baba, What Does My Name Mean?”, takes readers on a fictional journey to Palestine. The book depicts all land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea as part of Palestine, including Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv and Haifa. The book also claims that the capital of Palestine is Al-Quds, an Arabic name for Jerusalem. The book concludes by stating that Palestinians will one day be free through persistence and perseverance.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is an anti-Israel group that describes itself as “the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization.” CAIR has deep ties to the White House and the Democratic Party, with the Biden administration partnering with the group in its “National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.” In 2019, scores of congressional Democrats privately issued letters of support for CAIR, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed his thanks and appreciation for the group.
However, CAIR’s leader, Nihad Awad, has made controversial statements regarding Israel. He praised Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7th, stating that he was happy to see Gazans “break the siege” and arguing that Israel, as an occupying power, does not have a right to defend itself. CAIR also blamed Hamas’s attack on Israel, citing the “Israeli government’s apartheid policies” as the root cause of the violence.
The inclusion of these controversial children’s books in CAIR’s toolkit raises concerns about the organization’s agenda. By promoting books that push propaganda against Israel, CAIR aims to shape young minds and perpetuate a biased and one-sided narrative. It is important for local libraries to carefully consider the content they feature, ensuring that it promotes understanding, empathy, and a balanced view of complex issues.
Children should be encouraged to learn about different cultures, histories, and perspectives in an unbiased manner, fostering critical thinking and open-mindedness. Libraries play a crucial role in providing access to diverse literature and promoting intellectual growth. However, promoting books that distort historical facts and propagate propaganda undermines the purpose of education and fosters division and animosity.
It is essential for libraries to critically evaluate the content they endorse and refrain from promoting books that push a specific political agenda or perpetuate hate and bias. Instead, libraries should focus on providing resources that promote understanding, respect, and dialogue among different communities. By doing so, libraries can serve as platforms for promoting unity, tolerance, and appreciation for diverse perspectives.
In conclusion, the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ ”Palestine Beyond Borders” toolkit, which encourages local libraries to feature children’s books promoting propaganda against Israel, raises concerns about the organization’s agenda. Libraries should be cautious about endorsing books that push a one-sided narrative and perpetuate bias and hate. Instead, libraries should focus on providing resources that foster understanding, empathy, and critical thinking among young readers.
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