By Amy Zewe–
Can Fighting Antisemitism be Unanimous?
I sure hope so! And am pleasantly surprised to see some evidence of it!
You may remember that last fall The Jerusalem Connection participated in a protest organized by #EndJewHatred outside the UN’s DC office, the UNWRA office space. The protest was in regards to the use of US taxpayer funds going toward curriculum used in the Palestinian Authority that overtly calls for violence against Jews and the destruction of Israel. This event was populated by a variety of Jewish and Christian groups who seek to advocate for Israel’s existence and combat antisemitism and anti-Zionism.
Well, not only is the nature of that curriculum finally being admitted to by US leadership, but it is also being called out for examination.
You see, the US already has laws on its books that US funds cannot be used by the UN (or anyone else) to fund messaging that calls for antisemitism (and by default, anti-Zionism).
(The issue of these topics in US curricula is already under examination and protest by a variety of organizations, but let’s concentrate on the UN for the moment.)
The House Foreign Affairs committee, to whom the purse strings are attached, is finally, and unanimously calling for a bill to be passed by the entire House to examine the books used at schools sponsored by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
The bipartisan bill, introduced by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA-30), was prompted because of the hateful nature of what was being taught.
If you may recall the Trump administration cut all funding to UNRWA, knowing the content of the lessons taught to children. This funding cut aligns with current legislation. Then, in January 2022, after our protest, the Biden administration announced $99 million back to UNWRA.
Andrew Bernard reported in this September 16 article published in The Algemeiner that Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA-30) introduced the legislation because the textbooks
…include graphics portraying violence against Israeli soldiers, positive portrayals of individuals who have committed attacks against citizens of Israel, and references to Palestinian efforts to target the ‘Zionists.’
Sherman goes on to note:
For decades, the United States and the American people have been the top donor to the Palestinian people, including to the Palestinian Authority and UNRWA – but this is not a blank check,” Sherman said. “American dollars must be spent in a way that reflect American values of tolerance and peacebuilding. Unfortunately, the current Palestinian Authority curriculum, used by both Palestinian Authority and UNRWA schools, falls short of reflecting those values.
We applaud the Foreign Affairs committee for taking this step and we should all be fervently praying that the entire House takes up the bill and passes it. Funding lessons taught to children that institute hate and violence is not only against our values, it is outright child abuse.
Let us all remember a few key points in scriptures as these curricula are instituted (some attempt is made to keep the content secret) and what is in store for those who corrupt children:
Luke 8:17 ESV: For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
and
Luke 17:2 ESV: It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.
Again, please keep our leadership in your prayers that they will seek truth and find justice and ensure every action is taken to prevent the child abuse that results from these curricula as well as the poison it facilitates in the culture as antisemitism is cultivated in the schools. Write your member of congress and encourage them to pass the legislation that will keep our values and morals in the organizations and lessons of those our hard-earned tax money funds.
Shavua Tov
Have a great week.