The International Herald-Tribune published a commentary by Roger Avenstrup, an international education consultant, who denies that there’s any incitement in PA textbooks, and even suggests that PA textbooks could serve as models for educational reform in Afghanistan and Iraq!
No country’s textbooks have been subjected to as much close scrutiny as the Palestinian.
The findings? It turns out that the original allegations were based on Egyptian or Jordanian textbooks and incorrect translations. Time and again, independently of each other, researchers find no incitement to hatred in the Palestinian textbooks….If, as part of its policy of reconstruction in Afghanistan and Iraq, the White House is looking for a modern education founded in positive Islamic values and which promotes peace and conflict resolution, it should look at Palestinian textbooks for a model.
The first editions are not perfect: There are gaps in the presentation of both Palestinian and Israeli history, but they are a good starting point nonetheless.
As usual in national curriculum processes, criticism from extremists on either side is a sign that the process is probably on the right track. The biggest constraint, in the words of a Palestinian parent, is that Israeli tanks and soldiers are shooting in the streets outside while teachers are trying to promote peace in the classroom.
The culture of brainwashing that has become Palestinian education is documented well enough. We invite Avenstrup and readers to read here and here and make their own judgements.
UPDATE: See Itamar Marcus’ response to the Avenstrup article.
