Dept. of Education Probes NYC Schools over Antisemitism Allegations

The Department of Education (ED) on Thursday announced an investigation into the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) following allegations of discrimination against Jewish students.

ED’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) said it received reports that some NYCDOE employees formed a group called “NYC Educators for Palestine.” OCR said the reports allege the group held several educational seminars on “Palestine, Zionism and Resistance” and taught children as young as five “contemporary and historical Palestinian resistance” and that Zionists are “genocidal white supremacists”. The group is also accused of supporting the federally designated terrorist organization Hamas and its “martyrs,” ED said in a press release.

ED said OCR received complaints that the group sowed “hostility and hatred” toward Jewish students and potentially created a “hostile environment.” ED said the investigation was aimed at determining whether or not the NYCDOE violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by discriminating against Jewish students.

“No child should be taught by their teachers to hate their peers. Nor should Jewish children be taught that being Jewish somehow makes them inherently guilty or supportive of hatred and violence,” said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey in a statement.

“Discrimination has no place in our schools, and unlike the previous administration, the Trump administration will not turn a blind eye to anti-Semitic harassment. OCR will investigate these appalling allegations to ensure equal treatment for all students,” Richey added.

ED said the investigation complied with President Donald Trump’s executive order entitled “Additional measures to combat anti-Semitism. The department also noted that educational programs must be Title VI compliant to receive federal funding.