Despite the unprecedented wave of criticism against manifestations of antisemitism in academia, some institutions and faculty members in the United States continue to hold events that encourage antisemitism and division within the student community. Sometimes the hatred reaches the schools as well.
It turns out that a few days ago, an elementary school in Oakland, California, held a "seminar" in which students were asked to draw a "Zionist leader" and define what a massacre is.
Study material from the seminar, photo: Oakland Education Association
According to the teachers who initiated the seminar, the study materials included "art, math and film lessons that will emphasize Palestinian joy." The materials of the educational event indicated that Israel was responsible for the massacre and that "the Zionists are occupying colonialists." The study materials did not mention the Holocaust, but only as part of a summary stating that "during World War II, many Jews were killed and abused. The world wanted to make sure it didn't happen again. Unfortunately, the Zionists used this to justify uprooting and killing Palestinians."
According to Fox News, the teachers who initiated the event were warned in advance by the district superintendent, Dr. Kayla Johnson-Thermel, that the incident was contrary to district protocol. Despite this, about 4 teachers decided to hold the event and deliver anti-Israel content to students aged 14 to <>.
One of the organizers, Judy Greenspan, told Fox News that she definitely intends to continue organizing similar events and that the county superintendent should "stand on the right side of history." Greenspan added, "The oversight goes against everything Oakland has always fought for. We have always been in favor of the oppressed. As a Jewish teacher, I believe in the saying 'from river to sea.'" According to Greenspan, Palestinians are experiencing a "Holocaust."
The cover of the New York Post, which reported on the incident, photo: screenshot
Meanwhile, the Faculty of Medicine at George Washington University in the capital hosted an online panel last week with faculty members arguing that Hamas has a "right of resistance" against Israel. According to a report in the New York Post, behind the event, titled "Understanding the Conflict in Israel and Palestine," were the university's medical school, the Coalition Against Racism, and the Institute for Middle Eastern Studies. The panelists referred to Israel's war in Gaza as "ethnic cleansing" and "genocide" while ignoring the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7.
"Israel can justifiably claim self-defense, but Hamas and the Palestinians also have the right to resist," Mike Barnett, a professor of international relations and political science, said on the panel. "We were all shocked by the events of October 7, but we also recognize that these events have a history," added Shira Robinson, a professor of history and international relations.
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