MEDIA CONTACT
Joshua Silberberg
Plus PR
jsilberberg@pluspr.com
NEW YORK, NY – July 27, 2021 - Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA) National President Rhoda Smolow released the following statement today following votes by the HWZOA National Board and Hadassah National Business Meeting delegates to adopt a new policy statement demanding accountability for antisemitic curricula and resources used in schools run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The policy statement “reaffirms and expands [HWZOA’s] commitment to combat antisemitism through education at home and abroad.”
“For far too long, the international community has turned a blind eye to the untethered consistency of antisemitic teachings and materials utilized by educators in UNRWA sponsored schools across the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. The curricula of hatred and bigotry would not reach hundreds of thousands of innocent children if not for the silent acquiesce of UNRWA.
“Ironically, UNRWA claims that its intention is to provide students with accurate history and lessons that embody the core value of human rights and peace, but children in its schools are taught to wage jihad against the Jewish people and the State of Israel.
“Hadassah’s new policy statement demanding accountability and oversight for UNRWA and Palestinian education doubles-down on our dedication to combat antisemitism, safeguard Israel and build a more peaceful and tolerant world. We will keep pushing for permanent reform of UNRWA both at the UN and on Capitol Hill, too, where Hadassah advocates for the bipartisan Peace and Tolerance in Palestinian Education Act.”
To read Hadassah’s policy statement, UNRWA Accountability And Palestinian Education, please click here.
To read Rhoda Smolow’s May 2021 op-ed in Israel Hayom, “Reform Gaza’s Education System,” please click here.
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