Hamas plans more "enemy language" Hebrew in Gaza schools

[oberliner]

(Reuters) - Islamist Hamas authorities plan to expand Hebrew-language classes in the Gaza Strip's high schools to help Palestinians know their enemy in times of conflict with Israel.

Far from a sign that peace will soon break out, Hamas's promotion of Hebrew learning in the Israeli-blockaded Mediterranean enclave aims to make linguistic skill a useful new front in the struggle against the Jewish state.

Hamas rejects Israel's existence and seeks to supplant it with a Palestinian state, but says Gazans stand to gain from being able to monitor the discourse of a militarily vastly superior adversary in its own language.

<snip>

"Expanding (Hebrew) teaching comes as a result of our plan and meeting greater demand by students to learn Hebrew. They want to learn the language of their enemy so they can avoid their tricks and evil," al-Nakhala said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/31/us-palestinians-israel-hebrew-idUSBRE90U02C20130131

[aquart]

1. Yeah, but I still LOVE the idea.

[zellie]

2. I wonder...

if this is given in that new Hamas Military school where they take 12 and 13 year olds and teach them to kill Jews and to establish a Palestinian state from "river to the sea"?

[LeftishBrit]

3. Not the greatest of reasons for teaching a language..

but may lead in unexpected directions, to greater opportunities for 'fraternizing with the enemy'.

[Scootaloo]

4. Any means to foster communication is good

[azurnoir]

5. yep but I am sure the founders of MEMRI learned Arabic out of purest love for

the Palestinian population of Israel and the Occupied territories