Imagine a classroom filled with young children, brimming with potential, yet taught to view their neighbors as enemies that must be eliminated. This is the reality for many Gazan children today, where education is not a tool for enlightenment but a weapon for indoctrination. Under the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), these students are exposed to curricula that glorify violence and perpetuate hatred—policies sustained in large part by U.S. taxpayer dollars.
With the U.S. now in a lame-duck period and the Trump administration poised to focus on winding down conflicts and fostering stability, rethinking Gaza’s education system is critical. Decades of reliance on UNRWA have failed to advance peace and fueled division and hostility among the Arab populations. Recognizing this crisis and opportunities to encourage peace between Israelis and Gazans, the U.S. Israel Education Association (USIEA) has developed the Alternate Gazan Education Systems (AGES) Fund. This initiative seeks to transform Gaza’s education system by shifting the focus from “Teaching to Hate” to “Teaching to Coexist.”
With the Trump administration’s vision for the Middle East, now is the time to aggressively address this issue. Reforming Gaza’s education system is a pivotal step toward breaking the cycle of violence and creating a foundation for coexistence for generations to come. By building a strong coalition of international partners, reforming the curriculum, and training personnel committed to peace, the AGES Fund offers a blueprint for a stable future.
BACKGROUND
For decades, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has managed education for Palestinians, including the children of Gaza. What began as a humanitarian mission has morphed into a mechanism that perpetuates a victimhood mentality and genocidal ambitions . UNRWA-run schools in Gaza have long faced criticism for using curricula that radicalize the population, deny Israel’s right to exist, and promote antisemitism. Following the horrific attacks of October 7, teachers in these schools were found to have ties to Hamas, further reinforcing this indoctrination.
This toxic environment has profound implications. Instead of an upbringing rooted in peace and prosperity, Gazan children are taught to view their Jewish neighbors as enemies, perpetuating a cycle of conflict that spans generations. Worse still, U.S. taxpayer dollars contribute to this system. The United States has historically been one of UNRWA’s largest donors, providing billions of dollars over the years with little accountability or transparency for how these funds are used.
AGES FUND BLUEPRINT
The AGES Fund represents a bold and practical solution to the crisis that is Gaza’s education system. This initiative focuses on three key pillars—international partnerships, curriculum reform, and personnel training—to create an environment where children can learn to coexist.
BUILDING A COALITION OF INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS
Addressing Gaza’s education crisis requires a united global effort. The AGES Fund proposes assembling a coalition of nations and organizations committed to peace and stability in the Middle East. By pooling resources and expertise, this coalition can ensure the sustainability and legitimacy of the reform efforts. Engaging partners such as European nations, moderate Arab states, and private donors will provide the financial and political backing necessary to succeed.
REFORMING THE CURRICULUM
At the heart of the problem is the content being taught in Gaza’s schools. UNRWA-provided textbooks are filled with material that glorifies violence and promotes intolerance, particularly among Israelis and the Jewish people. The AGES Fund advocates for a complete overhaul of these curricula, replacing them with lessons emphasizing mutual respect, critical thinking, and the principles of coexistence.
TRAINING PEACE-ORIENTED EDUCATORS
A reformed curriculum requires teachers who are committed to its vision. The AGES Fund prioritizes recruiting and training educators who embrace the values of peace and coexistence. This includes removing individuals tied to extremist ideologies and providing robust training programs to support new teachers in fostering an inclusive and respectful learning environment.
By focusing on these three pillars, the AGES Fund aims to break the cycle of radicalization and create a new generation of Gazans who are equipped to contribute to peace.
U.S. INTERESTS AND REGIONAL STABILITY
Reforming Gaza’s education system isn’t just a humanitarian imperative; it’s a strategic necessity for the United States. For too long, U.S. taxpayer dollars have been funneled into a system that fuels hatred and instability. By supporting the AGES Fund, America can redirect its resources and lead the world toward a solution that actually promotes peace.
First, the AGES Fund addresses the root causes of the conflict. Extremism doesn’t arise in a vacuum—it is cultivated through years of indoctrination and dehumanization. By replacing curricula of hate with lessons of coexistence, we reduce the likelihood of future violence, benefiting both Israelis and Palestinians while promoting broader regional stability.
Second, the initiative aligns with the Trump administration’s goal of “winding up these wars” in a way that fosters lasting peace. Addressing the crisis in Gaza’s education system is a crucial step toward achieving this objective. It sends a clear message: the United States is committed to solutions that promote peace and reject extremism. Without education reform, another October 7 becomes a question of when, not if.
Finally, this initiative reinforces America’s role as a global leader. By championing the AGES Fund, the U.S. can set a precedent for how the international community addresses education challenges in conflict zones. It positions America as a donor and a driver of meaningful change.
CASE STUDIES: SAUDI ARABIA AND THE U.A.E.
In an encouraging shift towards promoting coexistence and combating hate, some countries in the Middle East have already taken steps to reform their education systems. These efforts aim to foster interfaith understanding and reshape perceptions of historically contentious relationships, marking a significant departure from narratives rooted in division.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has enacted substantial reforms to its education curriculum, reflecting a shift in its geopolitical stance. The Kingdom has removed content portraying Jews in a negative light, including revising certain prophetic sayings and reinterpreting historical accounts of conflicts with Jewish tribes. Notably, new textbooks no longer label Israel as an “enemy state” or adversary, and antisemitic references have been largely eliminated. Maps in Saudi textbooks have also been updated to exclude the name “Palestine,” though they do not display “Israel” either. Additionally, content glorifying concepts such as martyrdom and jihad has been replaced with teachings emphasizing inner spiritual struggle. These reforms are widely viewed as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to align with evolving regional dynamics and potentially normalize relations with Israel.
Similarly, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) has made significant strides in modernizing its education approach. The U.A.E. is collaborating with IMPACT-se, an education watchdog organization, to incorporate Holocaust education into its school curricula. This initiative reflects the country’s commitment to fostering tolerance and interfaith understanding, aligning with its broader efforts to strengthen relations following the Abraham Accords normalization agreement with Israel in 2020.
CALL TO ACTION
The children of Gaza deserve better. So do future generations in Israel and other Middle East countries. Everyone deserves an education that prepares them to build bridges, not barriers. Everyone should be given the opportunity to see their Jewish neighbors as partners in peace, not enemies. And they deserve a future free from the cycle of hatred, victimhood, and violence that has defined their past.
The AGES Fund is a bold step toward making this vision a reality. By reforming Gaza’s education system through international partnerships, curriculum overhaul, and personnel reform, this initiative offers a tangible solution to one of the region’s most intractable problems. It is a plan that not only benefits Gazans but also advances U.S. interests and promotes stability in the Middle East.
