The chancellor of New York City Public Schools, David Banks, recently testified before lawmakers on Capitol Hill regarding the prevalence of antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents within the school system. Since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on Oct. 7, there have been a total of 281 reported incidents, with approximately 42% classified as antisemitic and 30% as Islamophobic.
During a hearing titled 'Confronting pervasive antisemitism in K-12 schools,' Banks emphasized the seriousness with which each incident is handled. He stated that thorough investigations are conducted, followed by appropriate disciplinary actions.
One particular case that stood out during the hearing involved Origins High School in Brooklyn. Allegations were made that a group of 40 to 50 students marched through the school chanting 'Death to Israel' and 'Kill the Jews.' Additionally, a teacher reported being targeted with antisemitic slurs, including being called 'a dirty Jew' and being told that the student wished Hitler had killed more Jews, including her.
When questioned about the disciplinary actions taken in response to these incidents, Banks clarified that while no evidence was found to support the claim of students chanting 'Death to the Jews,' a range of deeply troubling antisemitic behaviors had indeed occurred at Origins High School. He expressed that this particular case troubled him the most.
The exchange between Banks and Rep. Elise Stefanik shed light on the challenges faced by the school system in addressing and combating antisemitism and Islamophobia among students. The commitment to investigating and addressing such incidents was reiterated as a top priority for ensuring a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.
