New York City School Chancellor David Banks has agreed to testify on May 8 before the House of Representative’s Committee on Education and the Workforce on the school system’s response to incidents of antisemitism and attacks on the Islamic community. At a press conference, Mr. Banks stressed that he welcomes the opportunity to discuss how the city’s school system works “to deliver an environment of tolerance and respect.” There have been charges of antisemitic incidents taking place at some New York City high schools.
Hopefully Banks will not pull a “Shafik.” Columbia University President Minouche Shafik used her testimony before the House Committee to denounce student protests and out professors the University is investigating for exercising academic freedom of speech in opposition to the Israeli war on Gaza. The committee still attacked Columbia as a bastion of antisemitism, so Shafik followed up her testimony by suspending pro-Palestinian student protesters and having them arrested for trespassing on a campus they spend tens of thousands of dollars a year to attend. That didn’t work either. Republicans on the House committee are demanding that she be fired and at the same time Columbia University faculty are considering a resolution to censure Shafik.
My advice to Mr. Banks is that he should be prepared for attacks on the school system he represents and he should defend his staff and students.
- These hearings are not conversations or an effort to find common ground. Based on their behavior at earlier Congressional hearings with college presidents, Representatives Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Elise Stefanik (R-NY) will try to embarrass Mr. Banks and New York City. If they harangue, harangue back. If they yell, yell back. If they cut off your microphone, yell louder.
- Mr. Banks should keep his written statement brief and to the point. He should prepare bullet points he can use to respond to questions and attacks and Mr. Banks should be careful not to deviate from his bullet points. These are suggested bullet points that Mr. Banks can also include in his opening statement.
- New York City and our schools take antisemitism and attacks on the Islamic community very seriously. We reject all forms of bullying and bigotry. Schools are safe havens for communities and must be free from discrimination and intolerance of any kind.
- The New York City Department of Education partners with teacher, civil, community and religious organizations to address antisemitism and stereotypes about Islam.
- New York City schools address antisemitism and stereotypes about Islam as educational issues, not disciplinary problems. Potentially criminal behavior is referred to the police department.
- In January, the New York City Department of Education announced that it would offer new curriculum material on antisemitism and Islamophobia in its public schools and train principals and teachers on how to have difficult conversations about politically charged issues.
- In March, all middle and high school principals received mandatory training on “navigating difficult conversations,” training that they brought to their school staff members. The Education Department also provides anti-discrimination workshops for parent leaders.
- The New York City Department of Education encourages teachers to prepare lessons exploring current events from different perspectives using multiple sources. If teachers have questions about the appropriateness of material, they are directed to examine them with their supervisors. We encourage teachers to use resources provided by Facing History and Ourselves, the Anti-Defamation League, the Museum of Jewish Heritage, and Muslim Community Network.
- The New York City Department of Education takes no official positions on political issues. Events in the Middle East change rapidly. I am not prepared to discuss my personal opinion on events here. However, I reiterate that I strongly condemn all forms of antisemitism, stereotypes about Islam, and all forms of bigotry.
- I defend the freedom of New York City staff and students to engage in difficult discussions and to participate in responsible political protests. In New York City we want our students to become active citizens in a democratic society.
In previous hearings, Foxx and Stefanik demand a yes or no answer to the question is the slogan “from the river to the sea” antisemitic? I recommend as a response that there is discussion in academia and the media over the specifics of what constitutes antisemitism. In its broadest sense antisemitism is attacks on Jews as a people and as a religious group. That is the definition we use.
If Foxx and Stefanik press for a yes or no answer, insist, “That is my answer.”
You can also make the point that there are West Bank settlers, including members of the Netanyahu cabinet, who are calling for a Greater Israel that extends “from the river to the sea.” Ask the committee, “Does that make them antisemitic?” If Foxx and Stefanik still demand a yes or no answer, remind them they have not given you a yes or no answer to your question.
Remember, whatever you say, Republicans on the committee will only attack and after the hearing they will denounce you and the New York City school system no matter what you say.