The report alleges that six UNRWA teachers engaged in conduct that encouraged the death of Israeli’s. Source: UNRWA, Twitter.
Teachers working for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) have been suspended while their alleged actions are under review.
A report released by UN Watch detailed that several teachers working for UNRWA had made numerous social media posts that called for the death of the Israeli people and showed support for members of Hamas, the Palestinian nationalist movement.
One worker allegedly wrote on social media “ the men of resistance… will slaughter each and every one of you and toss you into the garbage heaps, because you are filthy, and you contaminate any land you are in”.
Another example detailed a Facebook post that said, “Killing settlers [Israelis] is permissible and is a legitimate right for Palestinians”.
The UNRWA’s Teachers of Hate assessment has called the examples a “gross violation of United Nations and UNRWA internal policies”, citing the organization’s ethos of “neutrality and impartiality”.
UNRWA employs more than 23,000 teachers with majority living in the Gaza strip, Jordan and Palestine with the report claiming that UNRWA has a “vicious cycle of hate and intolerance”.
“Students [are] being taught in UNRWA schools by local Palestinian staff, who themselves are raised on anti-Semitic and terrorist incitement disseminated by Palestinian officials, in Palestinian media, and their own education,”
“Having been inundated with this education of hatred, they then pass it on to their students for whom they are role models. These students then grow up and become teachers themselves tasked with educating the next generation.”
UNRWA has said that the allegations are under review and until then the staff are suspended, similarly to incidents last year.
“These are serious times. UNRWA faces a financial crisis that, if unaddressed, could easily negatively impact regional stability.”
However, UNRWA has suggested that the report may not be entirely accurate with information potentially coming from pro-Israel groups.
“The actions of this organization and the coordinated comments by satellite organizations, demonstrate yet again the real intent.
“They seek to destroy, not build, to invite conflict, not build a lasting peace. UNRWA will continue in its humanitarian and human development mission, to lift people up from despair to a life of hope and possibilities.”
