A Palestinian teacher in Gaza has described receiving threats after challenging colleagues who she says promoted anti-Jewish rhetoric and violence in United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) schools, raising concerns about the impact of such teaching on the region's youth amid ongoing conflict. The educator, who has worked for UNRWA for 15 years, recounted a confrontation with a school administrator who threatened to cut out her tongue following her objections to lessons she regarded as indoctrination.
The incident occurred at a UNRWA school in Gaza City that has since closed and been repurposed as a shelter for displaced Palestinians due to the war. The teacher, who spoke through a translator and requested anonymity for safety reasons, said the administrator issued the threat days after she challenged a fellow teacher. The administrator warned her that if she continued to argue, they would "make you wish for death" and threaten physical harm.
The teacher expressed fear for her safety and concern for potential retaliation against her family, which initially silenced her. However, she decided to come forward, believing that the education environment in Gaza is increasingly cultivating extremist views among children, particularly since recent Israeli military actions in the area. She emphasized the importance of scrutinizing who educates children in the region and warned that these influences risk fostering another generation capable of instigating attacks similar to those that have occurred.
According to the teacher, some educators in Gaza openly promote hatred toward Jews and glorify the violence associated with Hamas. She recounted a sixth-grade history teacher attributing Palestinian suffering to Jewish actions and portraying Hamas as a corrective force against historical injustices. Another teacher reportedly encouraged girls to persist in Hamas’ struggle and bragged about instilling such ideas in students.
The educator described herself as shocked by the disparity between her expectations—believing a UN-run school would shield children from political violence—and the reality she encountered. After confronting a teacher spreading these messages, she faced a series of threats and refrained from pursuing the matter through school authorities, uncertain if some officials might be linked to Hamas.
The UNRWA has not responded to requests for comment on the allegations. The teacher’s account highlights concerns over the role of education in shaping attitudes in Gaza amid ongoing hostilities, with implications for both local stability and broader regional security.