NEW REPORT
Shaping Minds, Shaping Society
The IMPAC report, “Shaping Minds, Shaping Society: An Analysis of School Materials about the Palestinian-Israel Conflict in the Context of Rising Polarization and Antisemitism in Belgium“, discusses the critical role of educational materials in shaping societal attitudes. It highlights how biased and polarizing content about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Belgian schools may contribute to Antisemitism in Belgian education, discrimination, and intolerance towards the Jewish community.
Antisemitism involves hate, stereotypes, and prejudice against Jews, and it often manifests in both subtle and overt ways, including the spread of conspiracy theories or Holocaust denial. The report reflects these concerns, showing how some educational content can unintentionally foster such ethnic hatred, religious intolerance, and xenophobia, particularly when discussions of Zionism or the conflict focus disproportionately on Israel’s role and highlight how antisemitism in Belgian education is an issue.
This connection between biased education and the rise of hate speech and antisemitic violence is of significant concern, as outlined in the report. It stresses the need for educational content that encourages critical thinking, respect, and nuanced understanding, to combat these divisive ideologies that can lead to the scapegoating of Jewish communities. Antisemitism in Belgian education can be mitigated by implementing these recommendations. The report concludes with recommendations for more balanced, inclusive, and thoughtful educational resources, aligned with both national and international policies on promoting tolerance and social cohesion.
The study, with a foreword by Professor Emeritus Mark Elchardus
shows how biased narratives in educational materials may foster intolerance and societal polarization, as well as fueling antisemitism and radicalization among pupils. By examining 52 teaching sources available to Belgian schools, the study reveals a pervasive use of polarizing, partisan, and politicized content content that undermines critical thinking and promotes hostility.
Read Our Report Online
IMPAC’s report calls for urgent changes in educational oversight, recommending that school materials be carefully evaluated for bias and antisemitic content. This report is not only a critical tool for educators but also a call to action for policymakers and civil society to ensure education promotes inclusivity, tolerance, and social cohesion.
