How, in the context of the war between Israel and Hamas, can we talk about what is happening to children and adolescents in France? Some teachers have raised the subject in class since the start of the week, particularly in history and geography. A subject that is sometimes very sensitive and complex at the same time.
The situation in Israel and Gaza has been in the news since Saturday October 7 and the Hamas attack on Israeli territory. How should we approach this hot news in educational establishments? We first asked the question to a group of students, near a Parisian high school: “So I am more on the side of Israel because all the encrypted data that we can have on the networks, I think they are quite false”says one of them. “I am not informed enough to speak on this subject.”replies another.
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These 12th grade students know that things are happening in Israel and Gaza, but when you dig deeper, few really have a clear idea. Some teachers have therefore taken the initiative to raise the subject, to provide keys to understanding. “In fact, what affects them enormously is that for them it is a conflict between Muslims and Jewsexplains Benjamin Marol, history-geography teacher in a very popular college in Montreuil, in Seine-Saint-Denis. So this concerns them because many of my students are of Muslim faith or culture. My role is to try to show them that we have facts and that we must move beyond this simple question of religion.”
“In fact, what happened is terrorism, it’s extremely serious, it’s unprecedented. That’s why we’re actually talking about it, and they understand it. There is no not a student, at one point, who will say to me: ‘Ah no, but it’s justified in fact.'”
Benjamin Marol, professor of history and geography in a college in Montreuilat franceinfo
The teacher strives to put what is happening today into historical perspective, and also to explain the diversity of opinions, and even religions, which can exist within the Israeli and Palestinian people. Without being able to be sure that young people are still convinced.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict on the common agenda
For the teachers with whom we spoke, this is not a particularly difficult subject to discuss in class. It should be noted that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is on the program in 3rd and 12th grade, in the common core and in one of the specialties that students can choose. Sarah, 17, also heard about it in this context. “We were just waiting for thatsays Sarah. We really couldn’t wait to talk about it with our teacher. It was clear that she too was just waiting for that. For me, the source of the problem was quite unclear. I saw a lot of public figures that we knew who defended either Israel or Palestine.”
“So, I didn’t understand why there were two such distinct sides. The professor shed a lot of light on that.”
Sarah, 17 years old, final year studentat franceinfo
Addressing this subject in class also means answering students’ questions. For example, some were surprised that the Eiffel Tower was lit up in the colors of the Israeli flag. Why has the monument never displayed those of the Palestinian flag? Why didn’t we prefer a white flag, synonymous with peace? These are some of the questions young people have, which are not always easy to answer.
A need for information
Most students are quite demanding on this subject, even if there may be differences from one establishment to another. The cultural or religious proximity, which may exist with the Israelis or the Palestinians, undoubtedly plays a role in the interest they have in this conflict. We met several young people who did not discuss the subject in class with their teachers and who regret it: “It would have been interesting if they talked about it because they know how to explain it to children, better than a post on Instagram.” “Yes, I think it’s interesting because, given that we’re not very informed, it would be nice to be more informed.”
Mickaël Bertrand, history and geography teacher in a high school in Dijon, also notes this need for information among young people: “Our students are often very, very demanding because beyond the current event, it is still a conflict that they have heard about for several years and which, clearly, is very, very complex.”
“This often gives rise to lessons that are very interesting, with students who ask a lot of fascinating questions. Most of the time, they come looking for information and they are not there to argue.”
Mickaël Bertrand, history and geography teacher in a high school in Dijonat franceinfo
Beyond the programs, these sensitive subjects must be addressed at school, believes Montreuil college professor Benjamin Marol: “It is obviously the role of the school to talk about these things. Because if we think carefully, who talks to them about it elsewhere? The media, but which media? The social networks, but which social networks? Friends , family, etc… So yes, obviously, we have to talk to them about it, it’s their expectation. Especially with 15 year olds, we’re still coming out of difficult times in the suburbs. We have to speak, we have to listen to these teenagers.”
Events in Israel and Gaza will undoubtedly be discussed again in class in the coming weeks.