Geography in the Service of Politics

1. General Characteristics: The propaganda effort to delegitimize the State of Israel is clearly reflected in the maps of 'Palestine' and the accompanying geographical information that appear in the textbooks used in the Palestinian Authority (PA) education system. The ideological and political messages in the textbooks deny the existence of the State of Israel, repudiate the connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel, and emphasize the Arab-Islamic character of "Palestine" - which is described solely as part of the Arab and Islamic world.

This indoctrination of the younger generation begins at an early age, continuing until the completion of studies in institutes of higher education. The anti-Israeli political and ideological messages are promoted through a variety of methods and approaches. The study of geography constitutes a considerable instrument for the advancement of such messages.

Following are the conclusions of a review of Palestinian textbooks for the school years 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 and of research conducted by the Government Coordinator of Activities in the Territories:

1. The State of Israel is totally ignored. This is seen through systematic omission of the name of Israel, replaced by "Palestine," which appears alongside the Arab countries of the region (Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt).

2. Only towns in Israeli territory that are Arab or Muslim in character are shown. Up until 1948, some of these towns were entirely Arab, such as Nazareth or Beersheba, yet others had mixed Jewish-Arab population, among them Haifa and Safed.

3. Cities and towns with Israeli or Jewish character and with little or no Arab population are systematically ignored in the textbooks. Examples include Tel Aviv (Jaffa is mentioned but not Tel Aviv), Netanya, Hadera, Bat Yam and Holon, amongst others.

4. Towns and geographical locations in the West Bank, Gaza and Israel are referred to as part of one unit. There is no differentiation made between the towns in Israeli territory and those in the West Bank and Gaza; no difference between sites in Israel and sites in the West Bank and Gaza; no difference between traffic arteries in Israel and those in the West Bank and Gaza. The Palestinian pupil learns that all these cities and towns belong to "Palestine."

5. Jerusalem is depicted as the "capital of Palestine," while Israeli sovereignty over even western Jerusalem is ignored.

6. Although there are lists of holy places in Jerusalem, they refer only to the holy sites of Islam and Christianity - Jewish sites are omitted. In the list of holy places in "Palestine" in general, there is no reference to the Jews or their sacred sites. In Hebron, for example, al-Haram al Ibrahimi (the Arabic name for the Tomb of the Patriarchs - Judaism's second most holy site) is mentioned solely as a Muslim site - the burial place of Ibrahim (the Jewish Patriarch Abraham who is also revered by Muslims).

7. Jews are omitted entirely from the discussion of ancient cultures in the Middle East region.

2. Furthermore, the standard wall map of Mediterranean countries published by the Education Ministry of the Palestinian Authority displays the names of every single country in the region, with the sole exception of Israel. The territory of the land of Israel from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River is described solely as "Palestine", and the only towns that appear on it are Akko, Haifa, Nazareth, Jaffa, Gaza, Bethlehem and Beersheba. Jerusalem, the capital, is designated "Al-Quds."

3. The aforementioned characteristics also appear in the maps that are disseminated in the West Bank and Gaza by PA institutions and non-governmental organizations. It is clear from this practice that geography is being manipulated as a tool in the service of Palestinian political goals. Maps and geographical data disseminated by the Palestinians have become an important instrument in the promotion of propaganda - such as entrenching a belief in the exclusive Arab and Islamic character of "Palestine," indoctrinating hatred towards Israel and reinforcing the significance of the so-called claim to return of Palestinian refugees.