Gaza UNRWA Teacher Denounces Antisemitic Indoctrination in Schools
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
A former UNRWA teacher in Gaza has accused staff in UN-run schools of promoting antisemitism and glorifying Hamas's armed struggle. The teacher reported instances of blaming Jews for Palestinian suffering and encouraging violence against them. She faced threats after speaking out and fears for her safety. The allegations emerge amid ongoing scrutiny of UNRWA's neutrality and content in its educational materials.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- A former UNRWA teacher alleges antisemitic indoctrination and glorification of Hamas in Gaza schools.
- She reported staff blaming Jews for Palestinian suffering and encouraging violence against them.
- The teacher claims she was threatened with violence by a school official for speaking out.
- Her testimony follows previous UNRWA controversies regarding employee involvement in attacks and curriculum content.
- The UN agency has not yet commented on these latest accusations.
A Palestinian teacher with 15 years of experience at the UNRWA in Gaza has alleged that staff in several schools promoted hatred of Jews and glorified Hamas's armed struggle against Israel. Her testimony was published by the New York Post in an interview released Monday. The 40-year-old geography teacher claims she was threatened after challenging a colleague's remarks. A school official allegedly threatened her with scissors, saying, "If you don't stop protesting, we will tear out your tongue." The New York Post withheld her identity for security reasons. The teacher stated she joined the UN agency believing a UN-affiliated school would shield children from Hamas's culture of violence, but found a different reality. She reported hearing a sixth-grade history teacher blame Jews for Palestinian suffering and portray Hamas's creation as a response to historical injustices. In another instance, a teacher allegedly encouraged young students to continue the movement's fight against Jews, later telling colleagues how well the children had received the ideas. The teacher stopped voicing objections due to fears that school officials were linked to Hamas and that her family could be endangered. The school, located in Gaza City, has since reportedly closed and been converted into a shelter for displaced people. She believes the radicalization of students could fuel future violence, telling the New York Post, "It is more important than ever to pay attention to who is teaching our children," and urging international action. This testimony comes as UNRWA faces ongoing criticism over its school curricula and the neutrality of some employees. Following the October 7, 2023, attacks, a UN investigation suggested nine agency employees may have been involved, leading to their dismissal. The New York Post also cited a January 2026 US government report flagging content in Palestinian Authority textbooks used by UNRWA schools as incompatible with UN principles of neutrality and non-violence. UNRWA did not respond to the New York Post's request for comment on the teacher's accusations.
