Archive – 2009

IMPACT-SE set out on a two-week tour to the UK, Belgium and Germany with the goals of raising awareness and demonstrating to European parliamentarians, policymakers, media and public the true nature of Hamas; and of promoting the Tunisian schoolbooks and their educational approach as a potential positive role model. See:

• Full Report (pdf, 1.16 mb)
• IMPACT-SE’s presentation at the British Parliament (Nov 11)
• IMPACT-SE presents at a European Parliament Public Hearing (Nov 18)
• Berlin Press Conference on Hamas Receives Widespread Coverage (Nov 24)

November 2009
IMPACT-SE recently started a review of Israeli schoolbooks used in school year 2009-2010. It has discovered that the encouraging fundamentals found in the previous report persisted and even strengthened, namely: regarding the “other” as first and foremost a human being; overcoming suspicion, hatred and prejudices; knowing and respecting Islam and Arabs; admitting the legitimacy of the rival national movement and; presenting conflict in a balanced way. Despite deterioration of Palestinian-Israeli relations after the second Intifada and the deep disenchantment with the peace process among Palestinians, peace is still considered something that might and should happen one day, and is presented as obviously positive and worthwhile for all sides.

November 2009
IMPACT-SE concluded a report on Tunisia’s schoolbooks. The results are extraordinary: following reforms of revolutionary proportions carried out by the Ministry of Education, the Tunisian schoolbooks, in stark contrast with most Middle Eastern curricula, emphasize the importance of tolerance, peace and dialog with the “other,” equality between all human groups, openness toward the “other” and its culture (that is, the West), use of religion for universal rapprochement, and restriction of the ideals of (militant) jihad and martyrdom to historical events. Thus, provided they apply the above tenants within the context of the Middle East conflict, the Tunisian schoolbooks may serve as a model for Arab and Muslim countries regarding the attitude toward the “other” and to peace. A concise report has been compiled from the full report, which will be available here soon.

October 2009
IMPACT-SE studied the Palestinian Authority schoolbooks used in the current school year (2009-2010), and has come to the conclusion that although positive changes have occurred in the books during the last two years, they still do not amount to forming a clear departure from the negative fundamentals in PA schoolbooks regarding the attitude to the Jewish and Israeli “other” and to peaceful resolution of the Middle Eastern conflict.

Ynet, July 14, 2009
Hamas website for kids tells of 15-year old martyr, slams peace with Israel, promotes armed warfare. (Hebrew version)

Radio Sefarad, June 13, 2009
IMPACT-SE speaks to Radio Sefarad on the institute’s research, methods, achievements and vision.

Al Jazeera, May 12, 2009
On May 12, IMPACT-SE presented the findings on Al-Fateh at the French National Assembly at an event organized by ELNET – European Leadership Network and Med Bridge, and entitled: “Hamas: Ostracized Terrorist Organization or Inevitable Partner forPeace? The Educational Approach of Hamas and the Wasatia Alternative.” IMPACT-SE’s presentation was followed by that of Prof. Muhammad Dajani Daoudi, who presented the principles of Wasatia and its educational alternative.
Full live coverage in Arabic (wmv, 111 mb)

As part of, and following IMPACT-SE’s presentations across Europe in May 2009 (see report below), several articles and interviews were published in the media in Arabic, English, French and Spanish.

IMPACT-SE set out in May 2009 to present its findings on Al-Fateh, the Hamas Web Magazine for Children in Belgium, France and Spain. The object of the tour was to help stem the growing trend in Europe calling for dialog and engagement with Hamas, by raising awareness and demonstrating to European parliamentarians and policymakers the true nature of Hamas and its anti-Western, anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic ideology, so that they take it into account when considering changing official Quartet policy of non-recognition and non-engagement vis-à-vis Hamas… [Read more (pdf, 701 kb)]

Since April 2009, you can join our group on Facebook!

April 22, 2009
IMPACT-SE presented its report on the Hamas Web Magazine for Children (Al-Fateh), and Prof. Muhammad Dajani Daoudi, Founding Director of the Palestinian ‘Wasatia’ movement, presented the Wasatia approach and educational vision at IMPACT-SE’s office at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on April 22. [Read more]

Update May 2009
IMPACT-SE recently completed its report on Al-Fateh (http://al-fateh.net), the Hamas web magazine for Children, which serves as its internet educational instrument, supports its ideology and terrorist activities, and serves as a platform for Hamas propaganda and indoctrination, especially of Palestinian, and more generally, Arab and Muslim, children.
Supporting Documents:

• Full Report (pdf, 1.13 mb)
• Full Report – Francais (pdf, 2 mb)

February 10, 2009
IMPACT-SE presented the attitude toward the ‘Other’ in the Israeli and Palestinian Authority schoolbooks and provided a regional perspective on the role played by education for peace and tolerance in the Arab-Israeli conflict to a group of elite Dutch students from the prestigious BKB Academy. Supporting document: PowerPoint Presentation (pdf, 6.14 mb)