Israel has decided to remove any mention of the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg from its school curriculum, following her criticism of the country’s policies towards Palestine. The decision was made by the Education Ministry, which claimed that Thunberg’s views were “biased” and “inappropriate” for Israeli students.
Thunberg, who is known for her global campaign against climate change, has been vocal about her support for the Palestinian cause and has condemned Israel’s occupation, and human rights violations in Palestine.
She tweeted: “To stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people is not to be ‘anti-Semitic’. It’s to be anti-colonialist, anti-racist, and anti-apartheid. #FreePalestine”. She also shared a post by the Palestinian Youth Movement, which called for a boycott of Israeli products and institutions.
Thunberg’s stance on Palestine has drawn backlash from some Israeli officials and media outlets, who accused her of being ignorant, hypocritical, and anti-Semitic. Some also questioned her credibility as a climate activist, arguing that she should focus on environmental issues instead of politics.
The Education Ministry’s decision to remove Thunberg from the curriculum was revealed by a leaked document obtained by Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper. The document stated that Thunberg’s name and achievements would be erased from the textbooks of grades 7 to 9, which cover topics such as global warming, sustainability, and social activism. The document also instructed teachers to avoid discussing Thunberg or her opinions in class.
However, the document did not provide any explanation for the decision, but a source from the Education Ministry told Haaretz that it was motivated by Thunberg’s “one-sided” and “offensive” remarks about Israel. The source said that the ministry wanted to prevent students from being exposed to “propaganda” and “indoctrination” by Thunberg.
The decision has sparked outrage among some Israeli educators, activists, and politicians, who denounced it as an act of censorship and political interference. They argued that Thunberg’s views should not be silenced or dismissed, but rather debated and challenged in a democratic and pluralistic manner. They also pointed out that Thunberg’s achievements as a climate activist were undeniable and inspiring, regardless of her opinions on other issues.
Thunberg has not commented on the decision yet, but she has previously expressed her disappointment with the lack of education on climate change in many countries. In 2019, she said: “We children are doing this to wake the adults up. We are doing this because we want our hopes and dreams back”.
