Full Breakdown
EU Parliament Conditions Future Funding on Palestinian Authority Textbook Reform
5/3/2026, 4:44:36 AM
EU Parliament Condemns PA Textbooks and Conditions Funding
On 26 March 2026 the European Parliament adopted resolutions condemning Palestinian Authority (PA) textbooks that contain antisemitic content, incitement to violence, and glorification of jihad and martyrdom. The vote was 418 for, 207 against, and 14 abstentions. The resolutions tie future EU aid to the removal of such material.
Background and Data on Curriculum Controversy
The 2026 resolutions are the seventh consecutive parliamentary condemnation of PA curricula. In July 2024 the PA signed an EU-backed agreement to reform its textbooks. IMPACT-se’s November 2025 review of roughly 300 textbooks and 71 teacher guides found continued erasure of Israel, antisemitic motifs, and glorification of martyrdom. The Parliament voted 418-207-14 to condition future aid on removal of such material. Despite the resolutions, the European Commission has not frozen PA funding.
Why It Matters
The Parliament’s budget report said education is “a central pillar of peacebuilding, coexistence and preparation for a negotiated two-state solution.” Conditioning aid aims to curb extremist narratives, promote tolerance, and bring PA curricula in line with UNESCO standards, potentially affecting the scale of EU assistance.
Official Statements & Responses
The Parliament’s budget report said EU assistance should support education that promotes peace, tolerance and coexistence. The European Commission has not frozen funding despite the resolutions. The PA reiterates its reform commitment but has not met all EU criteria.
Criticism & Opposition
IMPACT-se CEO Marcus Sheff says the Commission’s inaction “is a recipe for a Palestinian future of extremism and violence.” MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen calls the Commission “naïve” for treating the PA as a reliable partner without pressure.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Year after year, the European Parliament has sent a consistent message to the Commission—that there is no excuse for a curriculum that indoctrinates the next generation with hatred and a jihadist death wish,” — Marcus Sheff, CEO, IMPACT-se
- “But now more than ever, the Commission must take action. Failure to act and impose real financial and diplomatic consequences is a recipe for a Palestinian future of extremism and violence.” — Marcus Sheff, CEO, IMPACT-se
- “Unfortunately, I don’t see any concrete actions from the European Commission as they naively see the P.A. as their reliable partners and are reluctant to put too much pressure on them,” — Bert-Jan Ruissen, Dutch MEP
- “education is a central pillar of peacebuilding, coexistence and preparation for a negotiated two-state solution,” — European Parliament (budget report)
What’s Next
The European Commission faces heightened calls to tie future disbursements to verified removal of extremist material. Continued IMPACT-se monitoring and parliamentary oversight will shape EU funding decisions in the coming months.
