WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Foreign Affairs Committee approved legislation coauthored by U.S. Congressmen Brian Mast (FL-18) and Brad Sherman (CA-30) to help prevent United States tax dollars from funding anti-Semitic education materials in schools in the Gaza Strip.  The Peace and Tolerance in Palestinian Education Act passed with a unanimous vote. 

“There’s no world in which the U.S. should be funding education that teaches another generation of Palestinians to hate their neighbors and our allies, the Israelis,” Rep. Mast said.  “Since its creation, Israel has had to live with a constant threat of violence from its neighbors, and this bill is a small step we can take today towards a peaceful and secure Israel tomorrow.” 

H.R. 2374 requires the U.S. Department of State to conduct an assessment of educational materials used in schools in Gaza and Palestinian Authority-controlled areas and determine if the materials encourage violence towards other groups, including Israelis.  The State Department must also assess if any U.S. foreign aid is used to produce or disseminate such materials.  

The Peace and Tolerance in Palestinian Education Act now awaits consideration by the full House of Representatives.  The full text of the bill can be read here, and Rep. Mast’s comments in the Foreign Affairs Committee on the legislation can be viewed here. 

-30-