Exclusive | NYC public schools spark outrage for sending newsletter to teachers accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza
A Department of Education newsletter claiming Israel is committing “genocide in Gaza” was sent out to hundreds of teachers — prompting fuming Jewish educators to call it out as another example of ingrained antisemitism in the city’s public school system.The 14-page “Teacher Career Pathways” spring 2025 newsletter — which sports the logos of the city DOE and the United Federation of Teachers union — went out over the last week to “master teachers” across the system’s 1,800 schools.“The genocide in Gaza, among other global injustices, emphasized the urgent need for student voices to be centered and heard,” it said.The claim was mentioned in a section of the newsletter headlined “Teacher Leadership in Action” that discussed the student-led March 28 “Day of Action” from the Columbus Campus Youth Council in The Bronx triggered by “pro-Palestinian protests” last fall.Pro-Israel teachers and Jewish activists monitoring antisemitism ripped it as the latest instance of the DOE promoting anti-Israel and anti-Jewish propaganda — and noted it could violate regulations against politicking in city public schools.“This newsletter needs to be removed and someone needs to apologize immediately,” one teacher, who requested anonymity, said.“Does [New York City Public Schools] expect me, a Jewish educator, to disseminate a message that so callously references the ‘genocide in Gaza’ as the inspiration for this student group?” the teacher continued.“To frame this pro-Palestinian protest – which was a pro-Hamas protest, filled with antisemitic tropes, and called for the eradication of Israel – as some noble catalyst?”Earlier this month, Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos was forced to apologize for a different newsletter that linked to a “Stop Gaza Genocide Toolkit” — sparking outrage in the Jewish community.That 17-page document contained radicalized messaging that encourages readers to “Stop arming Israel and free...