By Kanishka Singh
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A Pennsylvania public teacher has been placed on leave after allegedly labeling a Palestinian American middle school student as an extremist, the school district and a Muslim advocacy group said.
Why is it important
Human rights advocates say there has been a rise in anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian and anti-Semitic hatred in the United States since Israel’s war in Gaza began following an October 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas Hamas.
Key quotes
The Central Dauphin School District said Saturday it learned of the allegations after the teacher made the derogatory comment at an after-school program last week.
“The teacher involved in the alleged incident is on administrative leave pending an investigation,” the district said in a statement, adding that it had zero tolerance for racist speech.
The Council on American Islamic Relations said the allegation was that the teacher remarked, “I don’t negotiate with terrorists,” when the Palestinian American student asked for a seat change.
The district and Kair have not named the teacher or student. Cair said it was in contact with the child’s parents.
CONTEXT
Recent U.S. incidents involving children include the attempted drowning of a 3-year-old Palestinian American girl in Texas and the fatal stabbing of a 6-year-old Palestinian American boy in Illinois.
Other incidents include the stabbing of a Palestinian American man in Texas, the beating of a Muslim man in New York, a violent mob attack on pro-Palestinian protesters in California, and the shooting of three Palestinian American students in Vermont.
Incidents that raise alarm about anti-Semitism students at a Chicago university.