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Palestinian children paint a poster for Nakba during a rally in support of Hamas in the Hebron May 22, 2006. (Photo by Najeh Hashlamoun /Flash90)
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| By Israel Insider staff July 22, 2007 |
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| Palestinians during a rally in Ramallah, May 15, 2007, to mark the 59th anniversary of the Nakba, or 'catastrophe', that refers to the creation of the state of Israel in 1948 and the subsequent displacement of Palestinians. (Photo by Ahmad Gharabli /Flash90) |
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The Education Ministry has approved a new third-grade textbook for use in Arab sector schools that features the Palestinian view of the 1948 War of Independence and Israel's establishment, known to the Arab world as Nakba, or disaster.
The book, which has been slammed by many in the Knesset for being anti-Zionist, explains that some Arab residents were forced to leave their homes and become refugees, and that Israel seized Arab land. The book, Living together in Israel, also points out, however, that Arabs refused a United Nations deal to split the land between the Palestinians and the Jews, whereas the Jews accepted it.
Each year Palestinians commemorate Nakba while Israelis celebrate Independence Day.
According to Education Minister Yuli Tamir, the decision to approve the textbook was "part of a new curriculum, which has been in the works for a number of years and includes mentioning the Nakba."
"The book offers the Arab pupils a balanced picture, so that they may put what they [are] exposed to in their home environment in the proper context," she said, speaking to Ynetnews Sunday.
In response to the Education Ministry's decision, MK Zevulun Orlev (NU/NRP) said that the new book legitimizes Arabs who refuse to recognize Israel. Orlev called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to fire Education Minister Tamir, saying her decision was "anti-Zionist and goes against the very existence of Israel as a Jewish state."
MK Alex Miller of Israel Beiteinu, continued the criticism, saying that Tamir had failed by approving an anti-Zionist textbook.
Former Education Minister MK Limor Livnat of Likud expressed concern that this "miserable" decision could lead students to think they should work against Israel.
"Once the Arab pupils are taught that the establishment of Israel was a disaster, they might infer that they should be fighting against us... our very own educational system may be raising a fifth column," he stated.
MK Ahmed Tibi of United Arab List, however, applauded the decision, and said that the same books should also be used in Jewish sector schools, because, according to him, Jewish students also deserve the truth.
According to MK Yisrael Hasson of Israel Beiteinu, "trying to hide the Nakba is like trying to hide the sun with a curtain," and not acknowledging the Palestinian side "greatly harms the credibility of our establishment."
"In order to present a balanced picture, there is no reason not [to] teach the two points of view in both Arab and Jewish schools," he said.
Tamir's decisions have caused controversy in the past, when in December of 2006 she approved new textbooks featuring the Green Line. |
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