A congressional committee, led by Republicans, has reached out to school leaders in districts that have experienced antisemitic incidents. The committee is seeking information on the measures these leaders have taken to prevent future incidents in their schools following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.
During a hearing before the House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education, school leaders from New York City, Berkeley, California, and Montgomery County, Maryland, emphasized the measures they have implemented to address antisemitism and other forms of hate within their districts. These actions include the development of policies, staff training, and curriculum designed to educate students on these issues.
David Banks, the chancellor of the New York City Public School District, emphasized the swift actions taken by the district in response to antisemitic incidents. Teachers have been fired and students have been suspended as a result. Banks, drawing from his own experience as a school resource officer, stressed the importance of ensuring a safe environment for all students.
According to Banks, following an incident at Hillcrest High School, where students allegedly engaged in rioting and mobbed a Jewish teacher in response to the October 7 attack, the New York City Public School District took action by relocating the principal and suspending the involved students. Banks further confirmed to lawmakers that the principal still remains employed within the public school system.
Banks informed a lawmaker about a distressing incident where a Jewish teacher was singled out. He emphasized that they did not tolerate such behavior and took strong measures to counteract it.
Banks revealed that several students, including those responsible for instigating the riot at the school, were subjected to suspension or other forms of disciplinary action.
According to Karla Silvestre, president of the Montgomery County Public Schools Board of Education, disciplinary action has been taken against certain teachers within the district. However, Silvestre emphasized that no teachers have been terminated from their positions.
According to MoCo 360, a teacher from Montgomery County Public School is taking legal action against the district after being placed on leave and investigated for including the phrase “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” in her email signature.
During her testimony before lawmakers, Silvestre expressed her belief that the phrase is inherently antisemitic, particularly when it is used with the intention of advocating for the destruction of the Jewish people.
Enikia Ford Morthel, superintendent of Berkeley Unified Public Schools, emphasized that she cannot disclose the particulars of disciplinary measures taken against teachers or students involved in antisemitic incidents. However, she assured that appropriate action was indeed taken in response to each reported hate-based incident.
“We thoroughly and thoughtfully investigate every complaint and concern, and we take appropriate action,” responded Ford Morthel when questioned about the possibility of teachers being fired. “Our actions vary depending on the situation.”
According to Ford Morthel, students expressed a desire to learn more about the Oct. 7 attacks and the resulting conflict in the Middle East. In response, teachers developed curriculum materials to provide an explanation of the current events. However, the accuracy and impartiality of this curriculum have come under criticism. Berkeleyside, which analyzed the slides used at Berkeley High School, reported that they were deemed to be both inaccurate and biased.
