Teaching Children in a "divided Society": The Importance of Divergent Opinions in School Textbooks by Council of Europe 6:01am 30th Oct, 2003   27.10.2003 - Palestinians and Israelis involved in preparing and overseeing school textbooks heard how education authorities in Northern Ireland are trying to overcome the problems of teaching in a divided society at a hearing of the Assembly's Sub committee on the Middle East this week.    The Assembly's rapporteur on the situation in the Middle East, Mikhail Margelov (Russia, EDG),hailed the "spirit of tolerance" that prevailed during the meeting, on suppressing provocative language and incitements to hatred and violence in school textbooks and the media. "What makes me optimistic is the level of self-criticism we have heard," he said, encouraging both sides to continue trying to build bridges with Council of Europe help.    Participants heard examples of provocative language used in current Palestinian and Israeli schoolbooks, but agreed on the importance of teaching tolerance.    "All of us must give attention to what we tell our children if we want peace to last," said Ilan Shalgi, who chairs the Education and Culture Committee of the Israeli Knesset. He pledged to demand the ending of state subsidies for Ultra-Orthodox schools using textbooks that were not "in the frame of consensus".    Basri Ahmad Salmoodi of the Palestinian Authority's Education Ministry denied that Palestinian textbooks incited violence - but said the education system should support the "national aspiration" of the Palestinian people.  He pointed out that the violence of everyday life in the Middle East made the task of educators difficult: "The hatred that kids see in their daily lives is far worse than anything they read in their schoolbooks."    Cheryl Stafford, from Northern Ireland's education authorities, explained how history curricula for schoolchildren had been revised in the "divided society" of the province, where history had been used as propaganda, and it was difficult to reconcile polarised views. "We try to show students that historical judgments depend on the point of view of the person making the judgment. Therefore, our textbooks always contain a range of different viewpoints. We value a divergence of opinions, rather than seeking absolute consensus. Teaching history is not about the transmission of one view."    Jerusalem. October 31, 2003    "Hard line hinders peace, Israeli general says" by Greg Myre. ( Published by the Age Newspaper).    Israel's top-ranking soldier believes that hard-line policies against the Palestinians are working against Israel's strategic interest and contributed to the downfall of the previous Palestinian prime minister, the Israeli media have reported.    Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was believed to be furious about the comments, attributed to military chief of staff Lieutenant-General Moshe Yaalon, Israeli television stations reported.    Leading Israeli newspapers carried the comments, attributing them to a senior military official. The media named him as General Yaalon, who made the remarks to Israeli journalists at a briefing on Tuesday.    Nahum Barnea, a leading Israeli columnist with the daily Yediot Ahronot, quoted a military official as saying comprehensive travel restrictions and curfews on Palestinians were harming Israel's overall security.    "It increases hatred for Israel and strengthens the terror organisations," Barnea wrote, quoting the official.    General Yaalon also said that Israel should have eased punitive measures to bolster the fortunes of Mahmoud Abbas, who resigned on September 6 after only four months as Palestinian prime minister.    "There is no hope, no expectations for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, nor in Bethlehem and Jericho," Barnea quoted the military official as saying. "In our tactical decisions, we are operating contrary to our strategic interest."    Mr Sharon has said that Palestinian violence must stop before political negotiations can begin, and he has supported tough military action since he came to power in March 2001.    In previous public statements, General Yaalon had supported strong military action.    After a Palestinian suicide bombing killed 21 people on October 4 in Haifa, all Palestinians were barred from entering Israel and most in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip were confined to their home towns. Israel eased the restrictions on Wednesday, permitting 4000 Palestinians to enter Israel.    The Israeli Government was unavailable for comment but an army spokeswoman denied General Yaalon criticised the Government. But she said there was a debate over how to continue to pressure terrorists without alienating the civilian population. "He thinks we need to look at all the angles when we come to discuss this question," she said...    - agencies Visit the related web page
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