On Monday, the House Appropriations Committee released its draft funding bill for the State Department. This bill would uphold the funding ban for UNRWA and enforce strict vetting for aid to the West Bank and Gaza. It also requires a State Department plan to provide Middle East aid without UNRWA and ultimately phase the agency out of existence.
For those of us who have known about UNRWA’s problematic ties to terrorism for years, we can’t scream “about time” loud enough. While its humanitarian and health efforts must be restructured, a viable alternative to replace the corrupt organization's education system is also desperately needed.
UNRWA was initially established to provide humanitarian aid, health services, and education to Palestinians. It’s now become a cesspool of antisemitism, most recently evidenced by the discovery that its employees collaborated with Hamas on October 7.
Its execution in those three areas has been problematic, to say the least, but its education system is notably concerning—fostering an environment conducive to radicalization and hatred rather than promoting peace and coexistence.
Reports and studies have highlighted instances where educational materials used by UNRWA have included content that incites violence and glorifies terrorism. This isn’t just a failure of education but a failure for the future generations of Palestinians who are taught to view conflict as a perpetual state and reject any form of peace with Israel.
Replacing UNRWA’s humanitarian responsibilities is critical in light of the U.S. Congress prohibiting funding, and thankfully, it is being addressed. In meetings on Capitol Hill, I have heard firsthand from Members across the aisle who are actively seeking the best way forward to provide humanitarian relief through alternative entities, both from inside and outside the UN, while ensuring the responsible use of U.S. taxpayer dollars.
What gets buried, however, is the educational component. Jihadist ideology is taught in UNRWA schools and has permeated the minds of young Palestinians for decades, fostering Palestinian rejectionism—the refusal of Palestinian leadership (and, by default, the people) to recognize and to coexist with Israel—along with the idea that violence against Israel and Jews is legitimate to thrive. Without addressing the abusive indoctrination of future generations of Palestinians, we will continue to see humanitarian crises unfold as the Jewish state defends itself and its citizens.
By replacing UNRWA’s flawed and corrupted system with a more balanced, transparent, and peace-oriented educational framework, we can take a substantial step towards building a brighter future for all in the region and combating the evil scourge of antisemitism prevalent in Palestinian society, reducing the associated risks of terrorism.
One prospective entity worth nominating would be the Alternate Gazan Education System (AGES) Fund. The AGES Fund acknowledges that children in Gaza have been subjected to indoctrination that fosters hatred towards their Jewish neighbors, supported in large part by U.S. taxpayer money through UNRWA. The proposed Fund seeks to reform the Gazan education system by focusing on several key areas, including building a strong coalition of international partners, developing balanced curricula in textbooks, and training teachers to promote peace. The overarching goal is to shift from "Teaching to Hate" to "Teaching to Coexist."
This will not be a quick fix, nor should it be. The indoctrination through the education system took many years to create and fester—it will require many years to be rectified.
Never underestimate the influence of education on young minds. While it can be weaponized, it can also be wielded for good. It can curb violence by promoting critical thinking, empathy, and conflict resolution skills, helping individuals understand and address the root causes of aggression and work toward building a better future. By providing knowledge and opportunities for positive social interaction, education can foster a culture of peace and respect.
This monumental shift in policy from the House Appropriations Committee paves the way for a new reality where Palestinian education is a bridge to mutual understanding, rather than a weapon of division. Ensuring U.S. taxpayer dollars are funding organizations that don’t have ties to terrorism and prioritize a balanced education will result in a future we can all support.
Well, except for Hamas.
E.J. Kimball is a foreign policy and national security expert and director of policy and strategic operations for the U.S. Israel Education Association.