NEA annual assembly stokes antisemitism alarm with anti-Israel resolutions

A showdown over the Israel-Hamas war is looming at the National Education Association Representative Assembly, where pro-Palestinian delegates are seeking to pass a slew of anti-Israel resolutions over the objections of Jewish members.

The labor union’s annual gathering, which began Wednesday and runs through Sunday in Philadelphia, will feature votes on a host of new business items, or NBIs, aimed at promoting the anti-Israel narrative among K-12 educators and the public.

The NBIs include using NEA resources to “educate members and the general public” about the Nabka, a derisive term for the founding of Israel; promote the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement; and host webinars on “the ongoing genocide.”

NBI 74 calls for the NEA to publish the names of members of Congress who have received donations or endorsements from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and the Democratic Majority for Israel.

Other items call for opposing U.S. military aid to Israel, support the Palestine Trade Union’s campaign to “stop arming Israel” and “educate members about the difference between anti-Zionism and antisemitism.”

The NBIs are available only to assembly delegates on the NEA website, but a leaked copy of 13 items was published by National Review.

In addition, Educators for Palestine has publicly advocated for 10 items, including NBI 34, which calls for the NEA to “un-endorse Biden.” The post shows a headshot of President Biden morphing into a picture of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“As members of our nation’s biggest union, it is up to us to take a stand,” Educators for Palestine posted on Instagram. “We say NO to the genocide of the Palestinian people, NO to the United States’ support for Israel’s war in Gaza, NO to imperialist wars!”

Jewish educators are pushing back. David Smokler, director of K12- education outreach at the pro-Israel group StandWithUs, urged delegates to oppose the anti-Israel measures.

“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,” Mr. Smokler said. “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.”

A proposed NBI must be sponsored by at least 50 delegates to qualify for a floor vote. If passed, the item “directs the union to do something for a year, but isn’t a permanent statement of belief,” according to Education Week.

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The National Education Association (NEA), the country’s biggest teacher’s union with 3 million members, is holding its Representative Assembly (RA) in Philadelphia July 3-7. It is considering antisemitic and anti-Israel resolutions including one that…

— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) July 3, 2024

The effort to leverage the NEA, the nation’s largest labor union, against Israel comes after a semester that saw rising pro-Palestinian activism at K-12 schools, including a mass New York City student walkout in May that was stoked by Teachers Unite NYC.

“Passing antisemitic and anti-Israel resolutions would not only harm Jewish members, but also undermine the integrity of public education,” said Mr. Smokler.

The Justice Department’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating several K-12 school systems, including the Berkeley Unified School District and Oakland Unified School District, over antisemitism allegations following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israeli civilians and others.

“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,” StandWithUs said. “In some cases, this has resulted in Jewish families moving their children to different school districts with a less hostile learning environment.”

The Washington Times has reached out to the NEA for comment.

More than 6,000 delegates representing 3 million union members are expected to attend the NEA assembly at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Educators for Palestine planned a Wednesday rally ahead of the meeting, while StandWithUs scheduled a counterrally to “support Jewish educators and students and urge delegates to vote NO on the antisemitic NBIs.”

The pro-Palestinian group encouraged members to wear keffiyehs and Palestine pins during the gathering, but “no blue because you know who.” The Israeli flag is blue and white.