Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) President Morton A. Klein and ZOA Director of Government Relations Dan Pollak released the following statement:
The ZOA strongly endorses the introduction of the “Peace and Tolerance in Palestinian Education Act” in the Senate by Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) and urges Senators from both parties to become co-sponsors. An identical House bill (H.R. 2374) was introduced in April of this year by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) and has 27 co-sponsors from both political parties.
The bill requires annual reports on what is being taught in Palestinian Authority (PA) and United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) schools. ZOA has long been critical of overt Jew-hatred taught to Arab children in UNRWA schools (see Zionist Organization of America | ACTION ALERT: Protest UN Palestinian Arab Refugee Agency’s Antisemitic, Pro-Terror School Curriculum – Zionist Organization of America (zoa.org)) The bill also requires the Secretary of State to detail what the U.S. administration is doing to reduce the teaching of hate in Palestinian Arab schools.
Sen. Kennedy said:
“The Middle East will never experience peace until Palestinians stop teaching their kids to hate Israel, and American dollars should not fund this anti-Jewish propaganda. The Peace and Tolerance in Palestinian Education Act would give us a closer look at what Palestinian schools are teaching and whether or not American money is supporting antisemitism.”
ZOA President Morton A. Klein said:
“We all saw the horrible news last week that a 16-year-old Arab boy was brainwashed by terrorists to kill Jews in Jerusalem and give up his life for terror. This event, and so many like it are promoted and even praised by an education system that purposefully teaches hatred of Jews and promotes violence to young Arabs. There will never be an end to the Arab war against Israel and the Jews until the Palestinian Arabs begin to teach their children to value peace and stop teaching violence against the Jewish State and its inhabitants. ZOA salutes Sen. Kennedy and Rep. Sherman for this legislation that will help make the peaceful outcome possible.
ZOA Director of Government Relations Dan Pollak said:
“ZOA is particularly excited for the bi-partisan nature of the House bill, and hopes to see senators from both parties support the Senate version. American tax dollars should not go to recipients like the Palestinian Authority which promotes antisemitism, Jew-hatred, and murder.
The ZOA urges all senators and House members to become co-sponsors of this bill.