New report: Wild anti-Semitism in the American education system

Teachers unions in the United States have become a breeding ground for anti-Semitism and extreme anti-Jewish attitudes, according to a new report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). According to the report, a large majority of the Jewish teachers in the teachers’ unions censor themselves and most of them witnessed the downplaying or denial of the October 7th atrocities.

“Teachers unions were built on the promise of solidarity, fairness and respect for every employee. This report makes it clear that this promise is being broken for Jewish educators across the country. What we have found is not the actions of a few individual extremists, but a structural and cultural failure,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, the global executive director of the Anti-Defamation League.

According to the report, 74% of the teachers testified that they feel the need to censor themselves within the teachers’ union, and almost half have reduced their involvement in the union’s activities as a result of offensive rhetoric or behavior towards Jews or Israel.

The survey indicates that the denial of the horror of October 7 has also taken root in the American education system. About 52% of the Jewish teachers responded that they had witnessed during the past year the downplaying or denial of the October 7th atrocities.

About 49% heard the term “Zionist” used as a derogatory term during the past year and 44% stated that during the past year speakers who justify violence against Jews or against Israel were invited to union events.

In terms of the curriculum, 78% of the teachers who testified that their teachers’ union promoted curricula related to Jews or Israel also testified that the programs were negatively biased. The survey also revealed that a large majority of teachers are afraid to complain about the treatment they received.

“Jewish educators have shown extraordinary courage,” said Shira Goodman, vice president of public affairs and special initiatives at the Anti-Defamation League. “They come to meetings, submit complaints, compete for leadership positions and work for change from within the system, sometimes at a real personal and professional cost. They do not ask for special treatment. They ask for the same sense of respect and belonging that the unions guarantee to every member.”

The report is based on a mixed methods study that included focus groups and a survey among 307 Jewish members of teachers unions in the USA.