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The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce’s Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held hearing on Wednesday morning titled “Confronting Pervasive Antisemitism in K-12 Schools.”
Watch the full recording of the hearing HERE:
In his opening statement, Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL), chairman of the subcommittee, said, “It is impossibly hard to grasp how antisemitism has become such a dominant force in our K-12 schools. Some kids as young as second grade are spewing Nazi propaganda, which begs the question, who has positioned these young minds to attack the Jewish people?”
“The very need for this hearing is a travesty,” he continued. “The aftermath of October 7 has revealed some of the ugliest, most depraved ideas once marginalized from polite society, and our education system has failed to stop it. It’s not just anti-Israel. It’s anti-American. It’s anti-democracy.”
“This is the moment for all of us to take a stand against hate, against the indoctrination and radicalization of the next generation of our future leaders,” he emphasized.
The subcommittee’s ranking member, Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), said, “There is no question we must do more to combat antisemitism, not just in schools, but everywhere. We must do more to protect Jewish students and Jewish Americans who are threatened, harassed, and attacked because of who they are. Every student deserves to feel safe and be safe at school.”
“I have said multiple times I hope this committee can work together on constructive ways to address the scourge of antisemitism, and I will express that hope again today that we seek solutions that recognize the seriousness and scope of the challenge,” she added.
Antisemitism isn’t unique to college campuses. @RepAaronBean kicks off a hrg today highlighting how antisemitism is taking over K-12 schools too.
“Three of the witnesses here today represent public school districts that have allowed vile antisemitism to spread unchecked.” pic.twitter.com/erRgDLjW9y
— House Committee on Education & the Workforce (@EdWorkforceCmte) May 8, 2024
Opening statement transcripts:
- Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL)
- Mr. David Banks, Chancellor, New York City Public Schools, New York City Department of Education
- Ms. Karla Silvestre, President, Montgomery County Board of Education, Montgomery County Public Schools
- Mr. Emerson Sykes, Senior Staff Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union
- Ms. Enikia Ford Morthel, Superintendent, Berkeley Unified School District
