Brussels, 13 January 2023
See question(s) : E-002351/2022
EN
E-002351/2022
Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles on behalf of the European Commission (13.1.2023)
The 2021 assistance package was adopted on 14 June 20221, as announced by the President of the Commission during her visit to Ramallah. Education was not included in the incentive-based tranche of the PEGASE mechanism of the 2021 assistance package.
The EU remains firmly committed to promoting inclusive and quality education for the Palestinian people, including to ensuring full adherence with the United Nations values and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) standards and norms in the field of education and in all education material.
The assessment carried out by Georg Eckert Institute for International Textbook Research provides an objective basis for the EU’s engagement with the Palestinian Authority on education reforms. The Commission takes this study seriously and acts on its findings as appropriate, with a view to bring about the full adherence to UNESCO standards in all Palestinian educational materials. Based on the study, the EU has stepped up its engagement with the Palestinian Authority to ensure that further curriculum reform addresses problematic issues identified in the shortest possible timeframe.
The Palestinian Authority must ensure the highest standards in fostering a culture of peace and coexistence paving the way for a future where the conflict can be solved through negotiations leading to a two-state solution. The EU has no tolerance for incitement to hatred and violence, as means to achieve political goals, the glorification of ‘armed resistance’ and antisemitism in all its forms. Any material that goes against these principles risks undermining peace and coexistence and has no place in textbooks or classrooms. These principles are non-negotiable for the Commission. In this regard, the Commission will therefore continue to engage in this field and address any remaining issues and reserves the right to take appropriate measures as necessary.
1 C(2022) 4166 final, COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION of 14.6.2022 on the financing of the individual measure in favour of Palestine* for 2021-2023. * This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.