A Brooklyn teacher has come under scrutiny after allegedly posting “Long live Yahya al-Sinwar” in a group chat, as detailed in a recent legal filing.
Damien Neva, 48, who transitioned from being a fashion photographer to a public school teacher, made this remark in November 2024. This was after the Hamas leader was implicated in the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel, according to a lawsuit involving the Park Slope Food Coop.
Neva reportedly made this statement in a Signal group chat that included other members opposed to Israel, according to the lawsuit. He is described in the filing as a prominent figure in the boycott movement, dismissing pro-Israel and Jewish group members with comments like, “That lot does not have the votes to block our campaign.”
Jewish members of the grocery cooperative initiated legal action recently after the board decided to prohibit Israeli products, following a lengthy and contentious dispute.
Neva began his teaching career this year at PS 77 in the affluent Park Slope area, citing an “enforced career change” in a now-removed social media post.
Before his shift to education, he held various roles, such as a photographer and social media director at Next Management, which has represented notable figures like Karlie Kloss and Kate Upton.
His social media activity included postings that depicted a sticker of Israel being torn apart and images that compared Warsaw in 1944 to Palestine in 2024.
When approached for a comment at his home, Neva reportedly called the police on the reporter.
Social media group StopAntisemitism highlighted Neva’s comments, asserting that praising a leader responsible for the October 7 massacre while teaching in Brooklyn’s schools is concerning—especially for the approximately 157,000 Jewish children in the area.
Yahya Sinwar, before becoming the head of Hamas, was known for his brutal enforcement tactics and is thought to have orchestrated the deadly October 7 attacks, which resulted in significant loss of life and hostages taken.
Sinwar was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza in October 2024 while trying to evade capture.
Dov Hikind, a former Brooklyn assemblyman and now head of Americans Against Antisemitism, called for Neva’s termination, citing the importance of maintaining appropriate educational standards.
Hikind questioned how society would react if a teacher expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler, emphasizing that someone who views Sinwar as a hero shouldn’t be in a teaching position.
In response, the office of Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels announced an investigation, reaffirming that antisemitism and support for terrorist organizations are unacceptable within the educational system, and stating that the allegation has been properly addressed for further inquiry.
The office of Mayor Mamdani redirected inquiries to the schools chancellor’s office.
