Abbas Raises Ire of Palestinians with ‘Our Role Model, The President’

A booklet of quotes and sayings by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, titled ‘Our Role Model, The President,’ is drawing widespread criticism in the West Bank, as the Education Ministry is planning to distribute the work to all government-sponsored schools. Palestinian academics started a petition against the move, contending it idolizes Abbas and likens him to other past dictators. “Yes to educating our children on the values of liberty, equality and critical thinking,” the petition read in part, while rejecting the proposed initiative. By contrast, the PA minister of education argued that it is important for students to learn Abbas’ positions in order to strengthen their national identity. Azzam al-Ahmad, a senior Fatah official, confirmed Abbas approved the contents of the booklet prior to its publication.