A New Jersey high school has banned yellow ribbons symbolizing support for Israeli hostages during a club fair, which outraged critics say is a “blatant” expression of anti-Semitism. .
Fairlawn High School parents and their groups stop antisemitism Also, the display of the Israeli flag during an event that was also meant to promote travel to Israel was not allowed because the government deemed it too “political,” but members of the Islamic Student Association He complained that he was allowed to display the keffiyeh.
“What happened at Fairlawn High School is a disturbing incident of hypocrisy and blatant anti-Semitism,” said Liora Rez, founder of Stop Anti-Semitism. “This incident is a direct violation of the rights of Jewish students to express their identity and humanitarian concerns.”
About one-third to 40 percent of the 35,000 residents of Fair Lawn, Bergen County, just 27 miles from New York City, are Jewish.
Parents at Fair Lawn School say the public school district's failure to address complaints about alleged anti-Semitism has been an issue that has been lingering for some time.
“The incident at Fair Lawn High School's club fair is not an isolated incident, but part of a disturbing pattern of anti-Semitism that I and other parents have been fighting against for years.” humanitarian relief, to the Sunday Post.
“Despite multiple meetings with the school board and the superintendent, promises to involve them in anti-Semitism efforts have not been fulfilled,” Vaksman said.
Her daughter Maya is a high school student.
“The administrator's claim that the yellow hostage ribbon, a humanitarian symbol calling for the release of innocent civilians abducted from their homes and held in subhuman conditions by Hamas, is 'political' is extremely offensive. This is unacceptable,” the furious mother said.
By comparison, Vaksman argued, “the black-and-white keffiyeh, a symbol of armed resistance against the Israelis, was allowed to remain on display for hours.”
“This apparent double standard exposes the bias of the schools and administrators in question,” she said. “It is alarming that the school is censoring the Israeli flag of the Jewish student union while supporting a Muslim student union that claims to be Palestinian.
“Israel is the only Jewish state in the world and is inevitably associated with Judaism, and also with JSU's much-publicized visit to Israel.”
Fairlawn High School Principal Paul Gorski released a statement defending the school's actions.
“We are proud of our student activities program and the leadership shown by both students and faculty,” Gorski wrote.
“During this year's event, both the Muslim Student Association and the Jewish Student Association were asked to adjust items not included in the original exhibit. Both groups received the same guidance and were treated equally. “No students were disciplined in connection with their participation in the club fair,” he said, adding that “no students were disciplined in connection with their participation in the club fair.”
He also noted that Fair Lawn High School participates in the Anti-Defamation League's “No Hate” initiative and was “proudly recognized” by receiving the organization's “Gold Star” honor at a ceremony in May. said.
“We condemn anti-Semitism and remain steadfast in our commitment to building an inclusive community where hate will not be tolerated,” the principal said in a statement. “When we return to school after the Jewish holiday break, we will engage in dialogue with our students and community. Hate has no place at Fairlawn High School.”
However, Mr. Waxman does not accept the school's response.
“The selective application of this rule further demonstrates the discriminatory treatment of Jewish students. The school's response is deeply disappointing and fails to address these core issues,” Vaksman said. said.
“When Jewish students regularly face such blatant discrimination and intimidation within their schools, their participation in the No Place for Hate movement rings hollow. We demand concrete action, not empty platitudes, to combat anti-Semitism and ensure true equality for 'all' students.”
