Accusations Against Randi Weingarten
Randi Weingarten, who serves as the vice president of the American Federation of Teachers, is facing serious accusations from prominent Republican senators. They claim she is “encouraging a culture of anti-Semitism that alienates Jewish members.”
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-Louis.) highlighted this issue in a letter to Weingarten, noting that AFT Vice President Todd Wolfson held a webinar titled “Killing Scholars in Palestine.” This event reportedly depicted anti-Israel protests at universities, showcasing harassment towards Jewish students and faculty.
Various leaders from organizations such as the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Academic Engagement Network (AEN), and Hillel have criticized the webinar, stating it presented a “unilateral and inflammatory narrative” regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They also pointed out the omission of the October 7, 2023 terrorist attack by Hamas during the seminar.
In his correspondence, Cassidy stated, “In the six months since he received this warning, [the ADL] Dr. Wolfson has not only neglected to address these concerns but made matters worse.”
Wolfson, an associate professor at Rutgers University who is currently on administrative leave, conducted the seminar as president of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP).
He has also made statements claiming that the Trump administration has been “weaponizing anti-Semitism” against U.S. universities and has called for an arms embargo on Israel. Additionally, he characterized Vice President J.D. Vance as a “fascist.”
Cassidy criticized Weingarten, stating, “As president of an academic organization, asserting a political position means silencing the voices of members who think differently.” He emphasized that Jewish faculty and staff deserve to work without facing discrimination and expressed concern about AFT’s lack of action on these matters.
A recent ADL/AEN survey revealed troubling statistics: “73.2% of faculty members surveyed observed anti-Semitic actions or speech by staff on campuses, while 44% were aware of a Palestinian Faculty of Justice (FJP) chapter at their institution.”
Among those who knew about an FJP chapter, a significant number reported participation in anti-Israel efforts, including protests and divestment campaigns.
Cassidy is seeking a response from Weingarten by November 6, asking her to detail how the AFT intends to protect its Jewish members from anti-Semitism and to clarify its connections with the AAUP. However, representatives from the AFT have not issued any comments in response to these allegations.
