Education Systems Fail to Foster Peace Between Israelis and Palestinians

The "day after" discussions regarding a political settlement between Israelis and Palestinians are stalled, not by the terms of an agreement, but by the educational systems shaping future generations. On the Israeli side, the state funds autonomous educational streams, including the Haredi sector, which exempts most boys from core subjects, and a messianic stream within Religious Zionism promoting a "decisive plan" and a halachic state. Meanwhile, Palestinian textbooks, according to an EU-commissioned study, contain antisemitic content and glorify violence, with UNRWA continuing to use them. This educational divergence, the article argues, significantly hinders prospects for stable peace, suggesting that a lasting agreement would require at least 25 years following reforms in Palestinian education.

The Haredi education system, now representing over 20% of Israeli students and projected to reach nearly a third by 2060, receives substantial state funding despite exemptions from core subjects like civics and English for boys' high schools. Even elementary "exempt" institutions often neglect civics and foreign languages, with a significant portion failing to meet basic educational standards, including English instruction, as revealed by Ministry of Education inspections. This educational disconnect is mirrored in low Haredi enlistment rates in the IDF, with only about 2% of those called up actually serving, indicating a growing segment of the population educated outside the framework of national civic duty.

Within the messianic stream of Religious Zionism, ideologies promoting Jewish supremacy and a halachic state are taught. Bezalel Smotrich's "decisive plan" from 2017, for instance, presented Palestinians in the West Bank with options of renouncing national aspirations, emigrating, or fighting, with Smotrich stating "in war, as in war" when asked about potential harm to families. This ideology, which suggests a system of unequal rights amounting to apartheid for 3.43 million Palestinians, is reflected in teachings like those from the "Bnei David" institution, where a rabbi expressed belief in "racism" and genetic inferiority of Arabs. Such teachings, the article contends, cultivate individuals who would dismantle any peace agreement rather than build one.

On the Palestinian side, a German Georg Eckert Institute study commissioned by the EU found antisemitic motifs, erasure of peace agreements, and the glorification of terrorists in Palestinian Authority textbooks. These books continue to be used by UNRWA, which educates over half a million students. Despite promises of reform after UN investigators found evidence of UNRWA staff involvement in the October 7th massacre, a 2026 IMPACT-se analysis suggests UNRWA has not implemented recommendations regarding hate speech and antisemitism. This educational environment, where violence is presented as heroism and Jews as enemies, contributes to widespread Palestinian support for attacks like the October 7th massacre, with polls showing a majority in the West Bank approving the decision to launch it.

The article concludes that repairing these educational systems is crucial for future peace. While Israeli reforms, focusing on oversight and mandatory civics education, could be implemented within a few years, Palestinian educational reform is a generational challenge. The author suggests that Israel should cease funding and empowering extremist educational streams, with political will at the ballot box being the key to initiating change. The Palestinian educational system, however, requires decades to overcome the ingrained narratives of violence and animosity.