Ex-Gaza Teacher Warns of Antisemitism in UNRWA Schools
Translated & summarized from Jüdische Allgemeine by baba
A former UNRWA teacher from Gaza has detailed threats she received after opposing antisemitism and violence glorification in her classroom. She warns that ideological indoctrination in UNRWA schools could lead to future massacres like October 7th. The teacher reported an incident where a school official threatened her after she confronted a colleague about extremist influence. She estimates half of Gaza teachers she knew supported violence against Jews and expressed concern that many Palestinians condemn the war's aftermath but not the October 7th attack itself.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A former UNRWA teacher from Gaza reported threats after opposing antisemitism and violence in her classroom.
- She warns that ideological indoctrination in UNRWA schools could foster future massacres like October 7th.
- The teacher described a school official threatening her with violence after a dispute with a colleague.
- She estimates at least half of Gaza teachers she encountered support violence against Jews.
- The teacher expressed concern that many Palestinians condemn the war's consequences but not the October 7th attack.
- She believes the situation has worsened since the current war began, making children more vulnerable.
A former teacher from the Gaza Strip has come forward with allegations of threats and intimidation after she spoke out against antisemitism and the glorification of violence in her classroom. In an interview with the "New York Post," the 40-year-old educator, who taught geography for 15 years at a UNRWA school in Gaza City, warned that the ideological indoctrination of Palestinian children could create fertile ground for another massacre like the one on October 7, 2023. The incident reportedly occurred at a UNRWA school, now used as a shelter for displaced people, following a dispute with a colleague accused of influencing students with extremist views. Shortly after, a school official allegedly approached her with scissors, threatening to make her "wish for death" and to "cut out your tongue" if she didn't stop arguing.
Fearing further repercussions and unsure whom to trust due to potential Hamas ties, the teacher remained silent for a period. She eventually decided to go public, feeling it was her duty to raise awareness. "As a teacher, it is my job to convey an accurate picture and to call on the world to protect our children from these ideas," she stated, emphasizing the need for scrutiny over who educates the next generation.
She initially joined UNRWA believing its schools offered protection from Hamas's culture of violence but was shocked by the reality. She described encountering colleagues who openly spread hatred of Jews and glorified Hamas's conflict with Israel. One history teacher allegedly blamed Jews for Palestinian suffering and presented Hamas as correcting historical injustices, while another encouraged young girls to continue Hamas's fight against Jews.
The teacher believes the situation has worsened since the war began, with many children vulnerable to messages blaming Jews for the destruction in Gaza, often ignoring Hamas's role. She estimates that at least half of the teachers she encountered in Gaza consider violence against Jews a legitimate means to achieve Palestinian political goals.
She finds it particularly disturbing that while many Palestinians condemn the destruction and suffering caused by the war, they do not necessarily condemn the October 7th massacre itself. "They hate the consequences of October 7th. They hate the war that October 7th brought upon them. But they do not hate October 7th itself," she said, warning that if future generations in Gaza have the capacity to carry out another attack, they will.
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