PA Government Spokesman: “The Palestinian curricula are national curricula appropriate for the Palestinian national spirit, and free of hate”
Official PA TV News, interview with PA Government Spokesman Yusuf Al-Mahmoud
Official PA TV host: “Let us turn to the issue of UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) and the US, and its extortion by freezing the money. But what is more serious is the interference in the [Palestinian] curricula (see note below –Ed.). What is your response to the issue?”
PA Government Spokesman Yusuf Al-Mahmoud: “First of all, we also severely condemn what American Comptroller General [Gene Dodaro] published regarding the interference in the Palestinian curricula, and this is unacceptable. We think that what was said by the senior American officials on this matter is incitement against the Palestinian curricula, on the pretext of searching for incitement – what they call incitement – in these curricula. In any case, the Palestinian curricula are national curricula that are appropriate for the Palestinian national spirit, and they are free of ‘hate’ and free of the poison of hate of which they speak. And on the same matter, the other side, the Israeli side, has curricula full of hate, and this is according to the testimony of both international and Israeli experts…
We are certain that our curricula match our national spirit, our tolerant spirit, and the Palestinian national spirit that always calls to strengthen the principles of a just and comprehensive peace.”
At the request of US Senator James Risch, US Comptroller General Gene Dodaro launched an American investigation in January 2017 of UNRWA schoolbooks in the West Bank and Gaza Strip looking for terror incitement and Antisemitism. The results of the probe are expected in February or March 2018.
Official PA TV host: “Let us turn to the issue of UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) and the US, and its extortion by freezing the money. But what is more serious is the interference in the [Palestinian] curricula (see note below –Ed.). What is your response to the issue?”
PA Government Spokesman Yusuf Al-Mahmoud: “First of all, we also severely condemn what American Comptroller General [Gene Dodaro] published regarding the interference in the Palestinian curricula, and this is unacceptable. We think that what was said by the senior American officials on this matter is incitement against the Palestinian curricula, on the pretext of searching for incitement – what they call incitement – in these curricula. In any case, the Palestinian curricula are national curricula that are appropriate for the Palestinian national spirit, and they are free of ‘hate’ and free of the poison of hate of which they speak. And on the same matter, the other side, the Israeli side, has curricula full of hate, and this is according to the testimony of both international and Israeli experts…
We are certain that our curricula match our national spirit, our tolerant spirit, and the Palestinian national spirit that always calls to strengthen the principles of a just and comprehensive peace.”
At the request of US Senator James Risch, US Comptroller General Gene Dodaro launched an American investigation in January 2017 of UNRWA schoolbooks in the West Bank and Gaza Strip looking for terror incitement and Antisemitism. The results of the probe are expected in February or March 2018.