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| Palestinian Primary school in Rafah. Right2Education Photo by Mohammed Omer |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Information: Ghaith al-Omari January 28, 2013 - 12:00am
DO ISRAELI OR PALESTINIAN SCHOOLBOOKS TEACH VIOLENCE?
Invitation to Briefing and Discussion of the First Definitive Study of
Israeli and Palestinian Schoolbooks
A Joint Event by ATFP and Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 12:30 p.m. – National Press Club, 529 14 Street, N.W.
We invite you to attend the U.S. announcement and first public
discussion of a new research study that for the first time definitively
analyzes the level of demonization in Israeli and Palestinian
schoolbooks and how each society’s schoolbooks describe “the other.” The
briefing will be jointly hosted by the American Task Force for
Palestine and the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.
This study represents an unprecedented collaboration among leading
international researchers, and applies state-of-the-art scientific
methodology to the question of schoolbook content. The three-year study
was reviewed from start to finish by a Scientific Advisory Panel of
experts in textbook analysis from Germany and the United States, and
leading Israeli and Palestinian academics. The advisory panel concluded
that the study sets a new international standard for textbook study
methodology. Professors Sami Adwan (Bethlehem University), Daniel
Bar-Tal (Tel-Aviv University) and Bruce E. Wexler (Yale University) will
present the study. Rabbi David Saperstein (Religious Action Center) and
Dr. Ziad J. Asali (American Task Force for
Palestine) will be present as co-hosts of the event.
Accusations about narratives in Israeli and Palestinian schoolbooks
play a prominent role in political debate. However, reliable scientific
evidence regarding the actual content of current Israeli and Palestinian
books has been lacking. Past studies have typically consisted of one or
two people reading books from one society or the other and offering
assessments with highly selective quotes as support. Most of these
previous studies are outdated.
The study was initiated by the Council of Religious Institutions of the
Holy Land comprised of the Chief Rabbis of Israel, the Minister of
Religious Affairs of the Palestinian Authority, the Greek, Armenian and
Latin Patriarchs of Jerusalem and the Anglican and Lutheran Bishops of
the Holy Land. The study was fully funded by the U.S. State Department.
The full study report and the translated quotes from the schoolbooks
will be available for download as of Feb. 4, at 2:30 a.m. ET atwww.IsraeliPalestinianSchoolbooks.blogspot.com.
DATE:
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 12:30 p.m. A light lunch will be provided
LOCATION:
National Press Club, 529 14th Street, N.W.
SPEAKERS:
Professor Bruce E. Wexler, MD, Yale University
Professor Sami Adwan, PhD, Bethlehem University
Professor Daniel Bar-Tal, PhD, Tel-Aviv University
RSVP:
Please confirm your attendance by Monday, Feb. 4
CONTACT:
Sakura Amend, Finn Partners, sakura@finnpartners.com, (212) 715-1611
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