Israeli security control narrative on occupation in Arab-Israeli schools

The Shin Bet Israeli security services conducted operations in Arab-Israeli schools, censuring any critics of Israel for decades, Yedioth Ahronoth has revealed.

Confidential documents show that the Shin Bet has been cooperating with the Israeli Ministry of Education behind closed doors since 1948. According to the documents, the purpose of the interference was to “separate teachers and school principals and to frustrate the appointment of teachers who are considered anti-Israel”, stressing that “in many cases of dismissal, teachers were not aware of the real reason for their separation.”

The newspaper noted that in 1978 several members of the Shin Bet met with officials from the Ministry of Education in what was one of several private meetings. In later correspondence, the Shin Bet was seen to warn the ministry of “incitement” in Arab schools, pressing for greater control on the narrative being disseminated of the Israeli occupation.

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The report also reveals some of the ways in which the Shin Bet worked in the education system in the Arab regions, specifying its involvement in the decision-making and employment issues for many years. Teachers suspected of being a threat to Israel’s security, were called “ineligible”.

The testimonies and documents obtained by the newspaper indicate that Israeli authorities have made great efforts to influence the education system in the Arab regions over the years.

Israel has sought to erode the identity of its Arab citizens in many ways, with strict media censorship keeping many unaware of the situation of those in the occupied terrorists. A recent bill also prevents any members of the Knesset, including Arab MKs associating with organisations that back the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

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