WRITTEN QUESTION E-1338/01

by Frédérique Ries (ELDR) and Willy De Clercq (ELDR) to the Commission

(4 May 2001)

Subject: Palestinian schoolbooks

With regard to anti-Semitic language in the textbooks of the Palestinian Authority, Christopher Patten stated at the Plenary Session of the European Parliament on 31 January 2001: The Commission rejects any attempt to use the educational system to promote intolerance or hatred. The main focus of Commission assistance has always been to promote a culture of peace, tolerance and human rights in the Middle East () The Commission has never allocated funds for the development of a new school curriculum, nor for the printing and distribution of school textbooks. The development

of school curricula and the preparation of textbooks are the responsibility of the Palestinian Centre for Curriculum Development (). The Palestinian Authority issued their own textbooks only last year and to our knowledge no sign of anti-Semitic content has been found in these new books ().

A recent report by the Center for Monitoring the Impact of Peace, an NGO, shows however that several of the new schoolbooks for grades 1 and 6, published by the Palestinian Authority, contain racist and anti-Semitic language:

- National Education, Sixth Grade, p. 16, 44.

- Our beautiful language, Sixth Grade, Part A, p. 47, 62, 112.

- Islamic Education, Sixth Grade, Part A, p. 68.

- General Science, First Grade, Part A, p. 9.

Therefore could the Commission explain:

1. Why the Commission continues financing the Palestinian educational system when the beneficiary, the Palestinian Authority, clearly promotes values which are contrary to the European Charter of Fundamental Rights? Which acts of non-compliance by the Palestinian Authority must occur before the Commission withdraws its financial support for the Palestinian educational system?

2. What control mechanisms has the Commission installed being aware of the enormous difficulties between the Palestinian and Israeli people to make sure that funds allocated to the Palestinian Authority are not used in any way to promote intolerance or hatred?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(9 July 2001)

Union assistance to the Palestinian education system has focused mainly on infrastructures, equipment for schools and school libraries and direct assistance for current school expenses (salaries, dining rooms, etc. ).

Assistance for the printing and distribution of the new textbooks for grades from 1 to 6 mentioned in the Honourable Member's question , has been provided bilaterally by several Member States (Ireland, the Netherlands and Finland).

In this context, the Commission would like to refer to a recent study by the independent Harry Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace as regards the role of textbooks in promoting peace in the Middle East. The study confirms that the anti-semitic references in Palestinian textbooks are, actually, contained in official Jordanian and Egyptian textbooks, which since 1967 have also been used in the West Bank and Gaza. It also points out that the new books have considerably eliminated negative stereotypes of Jews and Israelis as compared to Egyptian and Jordanian textbooks. The Israeli authorities themselves confirmed this point to the Commission. However, the study also concludes that Israeli textbooks are not exempt from stereotypes and one-sided views of Israeli-Palestinian recent history.

The Commission reiterates that it has always focused its assistance on promoting a culture of peace, tolerance and human rights in the Middle East. When a request for assistance is submitted to the Commission, an assessment is made on whether the proposal falls within the scope of the Union's strategy and principles in that particular policy area. On that basis the Commission decides whether or not to fund the relevant project.

In addition, the Commission through the relevant mechanisms established under the Mediterranean European Development Agreement (MEDA) regulations is fully involved in the programming, preparation, implementation and monitoring of assistance projects to the Middle East Peace Process in general, and to the Palestinian Authority in particular.

The Commission always seeks to ensure that the European taxpayer's money is not misused. The temporary budgetary support for the Palestinian Authority during the current crisis ( 60 million) is subject to strict conditions, monitored by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF will monitor the macro-economic execution of the Palestinian austerity budget, including the freeze of the payroll and the level of arrears. The IMF will provide monthly confort letters to the Commission on basis of which monthly payments ( 10 million) of the budgetary aid package will be disbursed during the next six months.