Israel takes a turn

 

 

The ideology of a nation-state can be best judged by what they teach their children in kindergartens. In the past, this theory was best exemplified in the likes of Hitler and Stalin, this week it has been vindicated by Israel as well. Here is a relatively small event that might have big implications in the future of West-Asia. The Israeli Education Ministry has recently given the green signal to a textbook for Arab kindergarteners studying in Israel, which for the first time describes the 1948 Arab-Israeli war as a “catastrophe” for the indigenous Palestinians and their society. The Palestinians have always referred to the 1948 exodus as “Nakba,” or a calamitous national shattering, exodus, occupation and disenfranchisement.

FACTFILE

Israel set to acknowledge `catastrophe' for Palestinians in new textbooks

First admittance of a Palestinian state and the exodus that followed



The new textbook states that the “Arabs call the war the Nakba, a war of catastrophe.” It further states that, “some of the Palestinians fled and some were expelled following the War of Independence,” and that “many Arab-owned lands were confiscated.”

The decision is being seen as the first ever tangible and realistic indication that the Israeli regime is prepared, though reluctantly, to move in the direction of acknowledging and admitting the reality of what happened to the Palestinians in 1948.

In fact, it has been one of the most vital Palestinian demands for any serious peace-making effort to succeed. The Israeli regime would expect a similar and equally tangible Palestinian acknowledgment of Israel’s core narrative. Meanwhile, there has been a widespread protest by right-wingers who are infuriated by the decisions. Talking to TSI, former education minister and a key member of Likud party, Limor Livnat said, “…if we acknowledge the Arab version then we must prepare ourselves for more suicide bombers.” Limor Livnat's views at best can be termed as cynical. The fact is on the 60th anniversary of the modern exodus;, Israel has finally acknowledged the bitter truth that it chose to ignore for such long. For those affected by the never-ending Middle East crisis and the casualties and tribulations for a long-suffering population, the current development can be described as a giant leap.