A New Jersey high school has been accused of banning the wearing of yellow ribbons meant to honor Israeli hostages abducted by Hamas at club fairs, a move critics have called “extremely offensive.” called it “blatantly anti-Semitic.”
Fair Lawn High School also banned the display of Israeli flags at events because administrators thought the flag was too political, some parents and the group Stop Antisemitism say, and the Islamic Student Association It noted that members were allowed to display keffiyehs, traditional headdresses worn by men, from parts of the Middle East. new york post.
The event was reportedly in part to promote a trip to Israel.
“What happened at Fair Lawn High School is a disturbing incident of hypocrisy and blatant anti-Semitism,” Stop Anti-Semitism founder Liora Rez told the outlet. “This incident is a direct violation of the rights of Jewish students to express their identity and humanitarian concerns.”
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An Israeli flag with a yellow ribbon is seen near Frishman Beach in Tel Aviv, Israel, on October 3, 2024. (Getty Images)
Between 33% and 40% of Fair Lawn's 35,000 residents are Jewish. Fair Lawn in Bergen County is located approximately 27 miles from New York City.
This comes one year after the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists, which led to military retaliation from Israel and sparked ongoing wars in the Middle East. More than 250 people, including some Americans, were abducted by Hamas in the October 7 attack. Many hostages have since been freed, rescued, or killed, but dozens remain in Hamas custody.
One parent said the school district's failure to address complaints about alleged anti-Semitism is not a new concern.
“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.” says Adi Waxman, founder and president of Operation Israel. Israel told the New York Post.
“Despite numerous meetings with the school board and the superintendent, promises to involve them in anti-Semitism efforts have not been fulfilled,” said Vaksman, whose daughter Maya attends the school. added.
Vaksman added: “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 “This is extremely offensive and unacceptable.”
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“Bring Them Home” necklace with yellow ribbon pin in memory of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the victims of October 6, 2024. (Getty Images)
Waxman alleges a double standard, saying a black-and-white keffiyeh, which she claims is a “symbol of armed resistance against Israel,” was allowed to remain on display for hours at club events.
“This apparent double standard exposes the bias of the school and the administrators in question,” she said. “It is alarming that the school supports the Islamic Student Union, which identifies itself as Palestinian, while censoring the Israeli flag of the Jewish Student Union.Israel is the only Jewish state in the world. It is, of course, associated with Judaism and has a connection with Judaism.” [Jewish Student Union’s] He promoted a trip to Israel. ”
Fair Lawn High School Principal Paul Gorski issued a statement defending the school's response to the ribbons and flags.
“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 instructions and were treated equally. .”
Gorski said no students were disciplined in connection with their participation in the club fair.
An Israeli flag with a yellow ribbon symbolizing solidarity with the abductees is placed in a camp set up by the families of the abductees near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's home in Jerusalem, Israel, on August 13, 2024. (Getty Images)
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The principal also said the high school participates in the Anti-Defamation League's “No Room for Hate” initiative and was “proudly recognized” by receiving the group's Gold Star Award at a ceremony earlier this year. Ta.
“We condemn anti-Semitism and remain steadfast in our commitment to building inclusive communities where hate will not be tolerated,” he said. “Once we return to school after being closed for the Jewish holiday, we will engage in dialogue with our students and community. Hate has no place at Fair Lawn High School.”
However, Waxman claims the school discriminated against Jewish students during club fairs.
“The selective application of this rule further evidences the discriminatory treatment of Jewish students,” Waxman said. “The school's response is extremely disappointing and fails to address these core issues, given that Jewish students regularly face such blatant discrimination and intimidation within the school. Their participation in the 'No Place for Hate' movement rings hollow. We demand concrete action to combat anti-Semitism and ensure true equality for 'all' students. It’s not an empty platitude.”
