Must read: Manfred Gerstenfeld interviews Dr. Daphna Burdman on both Fatah and Hamas efforts to indoctrinate children to hate Jews, to the point of violence. No single snippet does justice to this in-depth interview, and yet I try:
The mass indoctrination of children is based on a carefully planned campaign that draws on strongly held cultural beliefs and deep-seated psychological mechanisms. The incitement uses a multimodal methodology, preaching Palestinian nationalism, martyrology and, under Hamas, emphasizing worldwide hegemonic shar’ia. The campaign utilizes the media, schools, and the street as well as religious figures.
Indoctrination in the Palestinian areas is far broader than textbook and television sources, encompassing general societal elements including newsprint, parents, teachers, methods of teaching with encouragement and praise for adherence, and strong disapproval for less devoted students. Imams are extremely influential in successfully emphasizing the goals of jihad and martyrdom. Summer camps, and the naming of streets, playgrounds, and soccer teams for martyrs, help maintain the ambience throughout society.
Burdman, who is a psychiatrist, pathologist and a lieutenant colonel in the US Army, has more fascinating insights. Read the whole thing.
