RAMALLAH, April 13, 2017 (WAFA) – The Ministry of Education suspended on Thursday all contacts with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) over the latter’s decision to change content of Palestinian school textbooks taught  in its schools.

UNRWA wants to water down political text in the school books after Israel and its allies have accused the Palestinian textbooks of inciting against Israel, which occupies the West Bank and Gaza Strip and subjugates their 4 million people to all kinds of discrimination, repression and humiliation, as well deny them the right to self-determination and preservation of their national history and culture.

A statement by the ministry said it took this decision after it realized that it was not convinced anymore that UNRWA is ready to change its policy on the textbooks.

“Altering the Palestinian curriculum is a blatant violation of the laws of the host country,” said the statement. “Any alterations intended to satisfy any party will be considered treason to the Palestinian narrative and rights of Palestinian people living under occupation and fighting to preserve their identity and national struggle.”

Minister of Education Sabri Saidam said that his ministry will not succumb to anyone or accept something considered a humiliation to the Palestinian people, their history and struggle.

UNRWA has been running schools in the Palestinian refugee camps in the occupied territories, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon since its creation in 1950 following the Palestinians were uprooted from their country after Israel‘s creation in 1948. Its schools run up to grade 9 only.

M.K.