Israeli Expert Warns Education Threatens Abraham Accords' Long-Term Stability
Six years after the signing of the Abraham Accords between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Shimon Rafaily, deputy head of the Institute for Security Policy of the Security Movement (IDSF) and former policy advisor to Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, emphasized the critical role of education in sustaining peace. In an interview with C14, Rafaily argued that true peace does not begin with diplomatic ceremonies or government agreements but in classrooms, where the next generation learns about the other side. He warned that peace unsupported by educational and cultural foundations risks collapse at the first crisis.
Rafaily highlighted the UAE's efforts to promote tolerance and coexistence, including incorporating the Abraham Accords into school curricula and fostering respect for Judaism and Israel. He contrasted this with the Palestinian educational system, which he said continues to teach hostility toward Israel, undermining peace efforts despite political agreements and international aid.
The Abraham Accords have faced significant tests since 2020, including the October 7 attacks, the Gaza war, and regional upheavals. Despite tensions and criticism from the UAE toward Israeli policies, diplomatic relations and economic ties have endured. Rafaily stressed that peace is truly measured during crises, not calm periods.
He identified three essential components for lasting peace: strength to deter aggression, shared interests to ensure cooperation, and education to build resilience. Without these, peace agreements risk becoming empty documents vulnerable to collapse. Rafaily urged that future regional agreements and reconstruction efforts must evaluate educational content and cultural narratives, not just political or economic factors.
Reflecting on the Abraham Accords' achievements, Rafaily noted that beyond diplomatic normalization and business cooperation, the accords demonstrate a new Middle East model where countries can coexist peacefully without resolving all disputes, replacing boycotts with shared interests and embedding tolerance as a societal value. He concluded that while leaders can sign peace agreements quickly, sustaining peace across generations requires teaching it in schools.
