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Following press reports that the European Union now conditions further funding of UNRWA on the eradication of incitement in the UNRWA curriculum, The Bedein Center for Near East Policy Research asked the spokesperson of the Delegation of the European Union to Israel for comment, to which he denied that any such policy exists.
Instead, the Delegation of the European Union to Israel issued the following statement:
Attributable to the EU Delegation in Tel Aviv:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is an essential provider of vital services to millions of Palestine refugees and a stabilising force in the region. The provision of health services for all refugees and education for many young Palestinians is crucial in Gaza, the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
The EU is a long-term supporter of the UNRWA, both politically and financially, and recognises the crucial stabilising role it plays in the region.
The Commission recalls that it does not fund Palestinian textbooks, and that UNRWA does not produce textbooks but relies on host country textbooks, as other United Nations agencies and in line with refugee education best practices.
Best regards,
Raphael Ahren
Press and Information Officer
Prominent media outlets confused the European Parliament which demanded an end of incitement in UNRWA schools as a condition for funding, with the European Union, which made no such demand.
The European Parliament advises on matters of policy. The European Union implements policy.
Asking the media for a collective retraction on such a positive news story for Israel is not an easy task.
UNRWA education indoctrination to war on Israel remains in place.
