Children learn Palestinian nationalism and inculcate anti-Israel beliefs in the heart of the country’s capital.
By Batya Jerenberg, World Israel News
The Palestinian Authority is funding an anti-Israel children’s summer camp in the eastern Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiya, Ynet reported Tuesday.
About 100 local children ages 7-to-12 are being inculcated with Palestinian nationalistic messages, starting with the camp slogan “Our Home, Our Jerusalem,” the news site reports.
Each camp day starts with the singing of the Palestinian national anthem complete with a Palestinian flag raising. Counselors who hold Israeli identity cards, meaning Israeli citizenship, teach the campers that Israel’s founding is the “Nakba” (“Catastrophe” in Arabic).
They also lead the children in songs that include verses like, “This nation will not die – freedom, freedom, freedom. This nation wants freedom for our prisoners.” We will continue to stand with pride on all our land, without them shaming us on your land O Palestine.”
According to the report, the campers also go to Jericho to train with Palestinian police officers in a popular form of Israeli hand-to-hand combat called Krav Maga. Jericho is in Area A under complete Palestinian control, and by law Israeli citizens are not allowed to enter.
The camp is run by Silwan Women’s Center, which told Ynet that the goal of the camp is “to grow a leadership generation capable of leading to social change, and to give youth tools and skills in various areas of life.”
Maor Zemach, head of the Lach (“To You”) Jerusalem organization which wants to reinforce Israel’s sovereignty in the capital, called for the authorities to close the center immediately.
“The Palestinian Authority’s incitement in Jerusalem must be cut off quickly and with determination,” he said. “The education towards incitement and radicalization in eastern Jerusalem must be stopped.”
Issawiya is located at the foot of French Hill, next to Mount Scopus. Its citizens are considered permanent residents of the city and receive all Israeli benefits, such as social security and national health insurance.
Just a month ago, Israeli forces were attacked by a large mob of Arabs in the neighborhood who threw large rocks and live fireworks at them from a close range, endangering their lives. The police and Border Guard have arrested dozens of suspected terrorists there in recent months.