New report outlines depth of Qatari influence in American education, from K-12 schools to universities and even teacher-training programs.By World Israel News StaffA new report by the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy alleges that Qatar Foundation International spent more than $65 million over 16 years on programs that gave it influence over how the Middle East is taught in US classrooms, prompting calls from lawmakers for federal scrutiny.The report, titled “Institutional Capture: Qatar Foundation International and the Use of Soft Power to Reshape the US Education System,” says QFI funded more than 220 initiatives between 2009 and 2025, reaching K-12 schools, universities, teacher-training programs and national educator networks.QFI describes itself as an independent Washington-based organization focused on “advancing Arabic as a global language.” The ISGAP report argues that its activities extended well beyond language education and into curriculum development, teacher training, social studies instruction and student activism.“The scope, duration and method of penetration into the US education system show that this was not a series of isolated educational programs,” said Dr. Charles Asher Small, ISGAP’s founder and executive director, according to a report by Israel Hayom.“The report specifically documents how funding linked to foreign actors was used to shape educational content and teacher training in ways that were not transparent to institutions, regulators or the public,” Small said.According to the report, QFI worked with federally funded Middle East studies centers at US universities, including centers connected to Duke University, the University of North Carolina and the University of Texas at Austin. Such centers, supported through the federal Title VI program, are meant to promote foreign-language and regional studies and provide educational resources to teachers.ISGAP alleges those centers became distribution channels for QFI-backed materials and programs, allowing the organization to reach educators far beyond its direct grant recipients.The report also says QFI-funded programs affected classroom materials directly. In one case cited by ISGAP, a New York public school that received foundation-linked funding used materials in which Israel was omitted from maps and replaced with “Palestine,” a finding that triggered congressional interest.In other cases, the report says, teachers who participated in QFI-funded professional-development programs were required to submit lesson plans for review by organization staff. ISGAP said that process gave QFI a role in shaping materials that could later be revised and distributed more widely.The report also describes virtual partnerships between US classrooms and schools run by UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, as well as programs that culminated in student activism projects. ISGAP said those initiatives reflected a broader effort to shape students’ understanding of the Middle East, Israel and the Palestinians.The findings drew criticism from members of both parties.Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., called the report “shocking” and said it showed “institutional capture” of the US education system by “foreign adversaries who seek to control and manipulate the American education system.”Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., said the allegations underscored the need for stronger disclosure rules.“American classrooms should never serve as vehicles for foreign government influence,” Gottheimer said. “When a regime like Qatar’s quietly shapes what is taught, who is invited to speak, and which ideas are amplified on our campuses, the American people have a right to know.”ISGAP called for federal investigations, a ban on further Qatari state or QFI funding of US school programs, stronger disclosure requirements and possible Foreign Agents Registration Act scrutiny.“These findings require decisive action,” Small said. “We call on federal authorities to conduct a comprehensive review of these activities, examine how they are integrated into publicly funded programs and ensure transparency and accountability throughout the education system.”The post Report reveals Qatar’s growing influence over American education appeared first on World Israel News.