Anti-Israel group sends email blast to Jewish NYC teachers urging civil disobedience for May Day strike: Not feeling safe
An anti-Israel group sent an email blast to city teachers pushing for a May Day strike and other “civil disobedience” to protest the Gaza war, riling Jewish educators and sparking an investigation.The Labor for Palestine Network called for union members to rise up against “the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza” and even coordinate their efforts with student groups in the alarming screed, which teachers were told to ignore by city school officials.“I’m not feeling safe when I get an email like that,” said one Jewish teacher at PS 75 on the Upper West Side, who received the email on Friday.“When I woke up [and got this email], I was absolutely shocked.”The city Department of Education is now probing the email blast and investigating how many school employees received the message, which blasted the US government’s “bipartisan support for Israeli violence contributing to the devastation.”“Our struggles for workers’ rights and the fight against occupation and colonialism are inseparable,” said the e-letter, signed “In Solidarity” by “Margaret” from the group.“The call to action is clear: it is time to move beyond speeches and statements,” the letter went on.
“We must take concrete steps to create real pressure, including organizing general strikes, participating in widespread civil disobedience, and coordinating efforts with the student movement.”The network supports the controversial boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement, or BDS, against Israel.Jewish civil rights activists such as the Anti-Defamation League consider BDS a campaign rooted in antisemitism.Jewish civil rights activists slammed the letter and lamented that “pro-Hamas propaganda” is now infiltrating K-12 schools as well as college campuses.“It is disgraceful that anti-Israel activists are infiltrating teacher networks to push pro-Hamas propaganda and incite violence,” said Liora Rez, founder of StopAntisemitism.
“Teachers are meant to educate, ...