UNRWA teacher reveals: 'They threatened to cut out my tongue because I opposed incitement against Jews'
A 40-year-old Palestinian teacher who worked for UNRWA for 15 years revealed in an interview with the New York Post that staff members at the organization's schools in Gaza encourage students to hate Jews and glorify Hamas's struggle. According to her, a senior official at the school threatened to cut out her tongue after she confronted a teacher over the content.
A 40-year-old Palestinian teacher who worked for UNRWA for 15 years revealed in an interview with the New York Post that staff members at the organization's schools in Gaza encourage students to hate Jews and glorify Hamas's struggle. According to her, after she confronted a teacher over content being taught to students, a senior official at the school threatened to cut out her tongue while holding scissors. The teacher, who teaches geography, said she began working for UNRWA believing the organization would protect children from Hamas violence, but discovered a different reality. She described instances where a history teacher blamed Jews for Palestinian suffering, and another teacher encouraged students to continue Hamas's struggle. The incidents occurred at a school in Gaza that was closed due to the war. The teacher feared approaching management due to possible ties with Hamas. Her testimony adds to the controversy surrounding UNRWA, after a UN investigation found evidence of possible involvement of nine employees in the October 7, 2023 attack. A US government report from January 2026 pointed to problems with Palestinian Authority textbooks used in UNRWA. The organization did not respond to a request for comment.