Are Israelis taught to hate Arabs?
June 13, 2008
The chairman of KBRM met with Murray Kirkness, editor of the Otago Daily Times, to discuss the editorial of May 22.. During the meeting Mr. Kirkness appeared to agree that Israel's battle against Palestinians is defensive, and said he would consider publishing a countering article. He also promised to "be more careful in the future". However he mentioned that he had met a former Israeli who left Israel because of the way the Israelis were taught to ‘hate Arabs’. A KBRM member replied to Mr. Kirkness as follows:
Dear Murray,
Rodney Brooks told me about his pleasant meeting with you and about your comment about Israelis being taught to hate Arabs. Rodney asked me to write about my experience and I am happy to do so.
Being an ex-Israeli (born in the UK, lived in Israel 28 years) and having gone through the Israeli school system myself, and later having put my now grown up children right through that same system, I am in a position to comment.
Hatred in any form is definitely not taught to Israeli school children. On the contrary, an education for peaceful co-existence with Israel's neighbours is a central theme to the school curriculum and any political lesson taught in schools in Israel — period.
Bearing in mind that there is not one family who has not been touched in some way by terror or the conflict (including my own family) you're going to get a few kids who would want to see all Arabs dead, as well as those that have responded well to what they have learnt in school, and would welcome the Arabs with open arms.
On the other hand, Arab textbooks in Palestine are full of hatred and teach never to compromise with the Israelis. They espouse martyrdom and conflict as a way to salvation and heaven. This IS taught as the central theme and the core value in the curriculum in Palestine and you as a taxpayer help as part of NZ's foreign aid contribution to Palestine (don't feel guilty — most of the Western World also chip in to that same hate fund).
How can there ever be peace with someone who educates their children to hate thy neighbour?
Rich Easton