PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (Press Release) – StandWithUs strongly condemns multiple antisemitic and anti-Israel New Business Items (NBIs) that have been introduced ahead of the National Education Association (NEA) Representative Assembly. The assembly, which brings together over 6,000 delegates from across the United States will take place in Philadelphia from July 3-7, 2024.
“As a former public school educator and teachers’ union officer, I urge NEA leaders and delegates to take a decisive stand against antisemitism and anti-Israel bias within their ranks,” said David Smokler, Director of K-12 Educator Outreach at StandWithUs. “The NEA must ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all educators and students, and maintain public trust in what is being taught in our classrooms. Passing antisemitic and anti-Israel resolutions would not only harm Jewish members, but also undermine the integrity of public education.”
Several proposed NBIs promote hate and misinformation. Three NBIs call for the NEA to align itself with Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) in various ways. BDS seeks to shut down Israeli-Palestinian cooperation, silence mainstream Jewish and Israeli perspectives in educational institutions, promote boycotts of Israeli goods and the severing of ties with Israeli institutions, all with the ultimate intention of ending Israel’s existence.
Another proposed NBI demands that the NEA officially deny the connection between bigotry against Jews and anti-Zionism. Anti-Zionism is an ideology that opposes Israel’s existence and seeks to strip away Jewish rights to self-determination in their ancestral home. According to multiple studies, the vast majority of American Jews consider Israel an important part of their Jewish identity and see denying Israel’s right to exist as antisemitism. The NEA must recognize the lived experiences of the Jewish community, fight antisemitism in all its forms, and reject any effort to shield hate groups from accountability.
There is also an NBI calling for the NEA to promote Palestinian narratives about the Nakba – an Arabic term meaning “catastrophe” which is used to describe the founding of Israel, Israel’s victory against invading Arab forces in the 1948 War, and the tragic refugee crisis that ensued. There is no factual context, such as Palestinian leaders and Arab states rejecting a two state solution proposed by the UN and choosing all out war instead. Nor does the NBI include any Israeli experiences or perspectives regarding the 1948 War. The NEA has a responsibility to help teachers educate about such controversial issues in an accurate and balanced way, instead of promoting narrow political agendas or propaganda.
As the largest teachers’ union in the United States, the NEA has a significant influence on educational policies and practices. Before and especially after the atrocities of October 7th, a number of local and state NEA union affiliates have been embroiled in major controversies regarding antisemitism and anti-Israel bias. In some cases, this has resulted in Jewish families moving their children to different school districts with a less hostile learning environment.
States Roz Rothstein, co-founder and CEO, “Since our inception in 2001, StandWithUs has been working tirelessly to keep educational institutions free from hatred and bias and encourage critical thinking and respect for diverse perspectives. We will continue to support Jewish educators and allies in teaching the truth about Israel especially at this critical time when disinformation is rampant and antisemitism is on the rise.”
*
Preceding provided by StandWithUs
I strongly urge the NEA to reject any antisemitic NBIs. These motions at local levels have been detrimental to union business and have damaged the trust families have with public schools. Union members have the freedom to participate in political action, boycotts, and protests. These motions are divisive and will ultimately weaken membership, weaken our collective power and public education as a whole.