Israel pulls textbook over reference to 'ethnic cleansing' of the Palestinians

Sunday October 25, 2009 14:32 by George Rishmawi - IMEMC & Agencies

The Ministry of Education in Israel has decided to pull a history textbook because it include a passage that talks about the expulsion of Palestinians in 1948 for the creation of the state of Israel, describing it as 'Ethnic Cleansing.'

Israeli media sources said the textbook, which will be taught to secondary classes, would be reissued after changes are made.

It quoted the passage in question as saying: "The Palestinians and the Arab countries contended that most of the refugees were civilians who were attacked and expelled from their homes by armed Jewish forces, which instituted a policy of ethnic cleansing."

Israel has always alleged that the Palestinians were not forcefully removed, yet they decided to leave based on orders form Arab armies who promised to invade the area.

Meanwhile, Israeli historian, Ilan Pappe have published a book called “The Ethnic cleansing of Palestine.” Pappe's book which created a wide-scale criticism among zionists around the world, is based on documents he retrieved from Israeli ministry of defense archives.

The book reveals that the zionists have planned for the establishment of Israel on the land inhabited by a Palestinian population, giving details set by the Jewish leaders on how to get rid of the existing Palestinian population.

israel | human rights | news report george at imemc dot org