Beyond the Headlines: Unmasking the Hidden Truths in Palestinian Education

Every day, students passing by the state school in Bethlehem see the monument at the entrance. It's a stone with the name of Ayat al-Akhras, who is hailed as a cultural hero. Despite being described as such, she's not a traditional poet or humanitarian. Instead, Akhras became a Palestinian icon because of a bombing she carried out—becoming the youngest Palestinian female suicide bomber, only 18, when she detonated herself at a supermarket entrance in Kiryat Yovel. Security guard Chaim Smadar, who blocked her from entering, lost his life. A nearby 17-year-old Jewish girl, Rachel Levy, also perished.

Such narratives astonish many and are brought to light by Itamar Marcus, founder of the Palestinian Media Watch. "From their first day to graduation, every girl at the Bethlehem state school sees Akhras's memorial," Marcus explains. "This sends a potentially deadly message, suggesting bloodshed to young Palestinian girls who will shape the next generation."

Itamar Marcus at a Foreign and Defense Committee

Reading Between the Lines in Palestinian Society

Resident of Efrat and Gush Etzion, Itamar Marcus, founded the institute during the Oslo Accords era. "I had an inkling that Palestinians expressed different ideologies to us Israelis than to their own people. This led me to establish the Palestinian Media Watch in 1996," he recounts.

Marcus aimed to grasp the genuine views of Palestinians and their methods of socio-political education. Quickly, it was evident that publicly pragmatic Palestinian positions masked genuine terror endorsements and explicit Jewish hatred. "Israelis now know this truth, but before, they were oblivious," Marcus explains. With the program's revelations, such as the 2011 discovery of the Palestinian Authority's terrorist salaries, Israeli and global perspectives shifted. "The world wasn't aware, and our findings spurred actions against the Palestinian Authority, including salary deductions for terrorists launched by Israel."

Navigating early challenges, Marcus's institute attained a respectable reputation, holding weight and achieving tremendous impact. Initially, Marcus collaborated with Labor Party members opposing Oslo Accords, providing evidence against peace negotiations. Independently, the institute revealed eye-opening realities about Palestinian policies, influencing global understanding, short-staffed yet effective, dissecting Arabic content to reveal concealed truths.

Beyond local impact, Marcus brings his revelations globally, visiting various governments. “The information we share surprises many internationally," he remarks, referencing appearances at the U.S. Congress and European forums. "Our talks often spark media interest and broaden awareness, like in Norway, following my parliamentary speech, prompting local media to cover Palestinian incitement."

The Root Issue: Educating for Terror

"Palestinian education unabashedly supports terrorism," Marcus affirms. "Schools named after terrorists teach children a martyrdom culture. Examples include schools named after Ahmad Yassin and Dalal Mughrabi, infamous for female-led terrorism. Mughrabi, who led Coastal Road Massacre—which remains one of Israel's deadliest terror attacks—links Palestinian youth with historical and modern violence."

Mughrabi is enshrined beyond schools' façades; she's a staple in educational curricula. Palestinian Media Watch uncovered school literature praising 'heroes,' including Mughrabi and others, celebrated for violent afoul acts, pushed as ultimate role models for Palestinian youth.

Furthermore, contemporary terrorists get similar acclaim. Ahmad Manasra, a 12-year-old attacker, became the namesake of youth soccer tournaments, further glorifying violence. "Kids celebrate dubious 'achievements,' to idolize figures like Ahmad Manasra, seeing martyrdom as noble," Marcus argues.

Marcus with Norwegian Parliament members, February 2020

"They Don't Want Peace"

Marcus offers stark insights into the Palestinian Authority's contradiction in backing terrorists financially, even during economic hardship. While state workers faced pay cuts, prisoners retained full salaries with enhanced income incentives, underscoring their perceived ‘worth.'

From his perspective, "the Palestinian Authority contradicts peace aspirations by inciting hatred. They proclaim desire for peace but manipulate international discourse for gains, like global recognition as a state, while suing Israel legally with false peace narratives."

Knesset Members Supporting Terror

Arab-Israeli Knesset member Ahmad Tibi presents a paradoxical figure. Admired for eloquence and wit, Tibi's behind-the-scenes actions reveal support for anti-Jewish terrorism, confounding his public persona.

At gatherings honoring notorious figures like Marwan Barghouti, Tibi's rhetoric starkly contrasts his Knesset dialogue. Marcus cites, "Condoning Barghouti, responsible for numerous fatalities, exemplifies implicit terror endorsement. His praises mark a troubling disparity between political image and substantive allegiance."

Given Tibi's public condemnations, paired with cryptic support for violence, Marcus illustrates the duplicity in Arab-Israeli politicians, with evidence of connections to terrorist ideologues. “The political facade masks troubling support for violence, seen ubiquitously among several Arab Knesset members," Marcus declares.

Tibi (photo: Yonatan Sindel, Flash 90)

Looking Forward

Undeterred, Marcus and his team pursue future endeavors, organizing Jewish and Palestinian anti-incitement activists. "We aim for cross-cultural exposure highlighting Palestinian Authority's hidden agendas," Marcus shares, confident that multilateral collaborations will propel truth dissemination globally.

He recounts aligning with a rare Palestinian opposing official narratives during Wye River talks. Revealing personal educational disappointment, the Palestinian expressed internal conflict regarding institutional indoctrination. However, such dissenting voices face marginalization, indicative of deeper systematic persistence supporting current propagandistic paradigms.