DO ISRAELI OR PALESTINIAN SCHOOLBOOKS TEACH VIOLENCE?

Invitation to Briefing and Discussion of the First Definitive Study of

Israeli and Palestinian Schoolbooks

Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 12:30 p.m. – National Press Club, 529 14 Street, N.W.

We invite you to attend the U.S. announcement and first public discussion of a new research study that for the first time definitively analyzes the level of demonization in Israeli and Palestinian schoolbooks and how each society’s schoolbooks describe “the other.” The briefing will be hosted by the American Task Force for Palestine.

This study represents an unprecedented collaboration among leading international researchers, and applies state-of-the-art scientific methodology to the question of schoolbook content. The three-year study was reviewed from start to finish by a Scientific Advisory Panel of experts in textbook analysis from Germany and the United States, and leading Israeli and Palestinian academics.  The advisory panel concluded that the study sets a new international standard for textbook study methodology. Professors Sami Adwan (Bethlehem University), Daniel Bar-Tal (Tel-Aviv University) and Bruce E. Wexler (Yale University) will present the study. Dr. Ziad J. Asali (American Task Force for Palestine) will be present as the host of the event.

Accusations about narratives in Israeli and Palestinian schoolbooks play a prominent role in political debate. However, reliable scientific evidence regarding the actual content of current Israeli and Palestinian books has been lacking. Past studies have typically consisted of one or two people reading books from one society or the other and offering assessments with highly selective quotes as support.  Most of these previous studies are outdated.

The study was initiated by the Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land comprised of the Chief Rabbis of Israel, the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Palestinian Authority, the Greek, Armenian and Latin Patriarchs of Jerusalem and the Anglican and Lutheran Bishops of the Holy Land. The study was fully funded by the U.S. State Department.

The full study report and the translated quotes from the schoolbooks will be available for download as of Feb. 4, at 2:30 a.m. ET at www.IsraeliPalestinianSchoolbooks.blogspot.com.

DATE:

Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 12:30 p.m.  A light lunch will be provided

LOCATION:

National Press Club, 529 14^th Street, N.W.

SPEAKERS:

Professor Bruce E. Wexler, MD, Yale University

Professor Sami Adwan, PhD, Bethlehem University

 Professor Daniel Bar-Tal, PhD, Tel-Aviv University

RSVP:

Please confirm your attendance by Monday, Feb. 4

CONTACT:

Sakura Amend, Finn Partners, sakura@finnpartners.com,             (212) 715-1611