District 11 City Council Member Eric Dinowitz released a statement on Thursday, Nov. 9, condemning what he referred to as an antisemitic call for a walkout earlier that day by some New York City public students. The latter are calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East after the breakout of war in the region following the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7, the kidnapping of around 240 Israeli hostages by Hamas, and the subsequent shelling and ground invasion of the Palestinian Gaza Strip by the Israeli Defense Force since Oct. 8.

 

As reported by Chalkbeat, Tajh Sutton, a Brooklyn parent and president of Community Education Council 14, which it was reported had co-sponsored the walkout, said its goal was to provide a “safe space to be in solidarity not only with Palestinian but Arab and Muslim families and young people.” A flier announcing the rally described it as a national shutdown for Palestine, where 100+ NYC High schools and school communities planned to walk out, phone bank, and teach in to demand a ceasefire, and end what was referred to as “U.S. support for genocide in Gaza.”

 

The walkout was organized a day after the sole Palestinian member of the U.S. Congress Rashida Tlaib was censured by a majority vote in the U.S. House of Representatives for her public statements on the war, and the same day Israel agreed to four-hour daily humanitarian pauses to allow desperately needed food and medical supplies to be delivered inside the Gaza frontier.

New York City’s Community and Citywide Education Councils (CECs) are charged with promoting student achievement, advising and commenting on educational policies, and providing input to the City’s schools chancellor and panel for educational policy on matters of concern to the district. The powers and duties of CECs are spelled out in NYS Education Law §2590-e, while those of citywide councils can be found in §2590-b.

 

In his statement, Dinowitz, a former teacher, said, “Since October 7th, tensions have been exceedingly high. People in official, government positions have a particular responsibility to use their official titles in the appropriate manner. It is completely unacceptable that District 14 CEC sent out an email from their official government email encouraging not only a blatantly one-sided rally, but one that encouraged students to leave school.”

 

He added, “I am deeply disturbed by this incident and even more so, that it is happening in our public school system, fueled by people who should be tasked with building bridges, not sowing division. Chancellor Banks even explicitly communicated the distinction between personal views and responsibilities as educators. After hearing about this act by the CEC 14 President, I immediately reached out to Chancellor Banks to voice my deep concerns about what is happening within our school system. This CEC’s call to action must be investigated, as our education system must be supportive of bridge-building and operate with transparency.”

 

The councilman represents the neighborhoods of Norwood, Bedford Park, Kingsbridge, Riverdale, Van Cortlandt Village, Wakefield, and Woodlawn, and chairs the NYC Council’s Jewish Caucus.

 

As reported by Norwood News, and according to later reporting by NPR, Hamas attacked several communities in Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,400 people and kidnapping around 240 people, some of whom have since been released. Since then, according to the news outlet, the death toll in Gaza has exceeded 10,000 and mass protests have been held all over the world in the context of the crisis. Many across the world, including in the U.S., have called for a ceasefire to allow the lifting of the blockade along the Gaza frontier to allow in the urgently needed medical and food supplies.

 

Dr. Michael Ryan of the World Health Organization said on Oct. 26, “What’s unfolding in Gaza right now is a humanitarian and health catastrophe…the situation is beyond belief.” Ryan called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza so that “unhindered, unfettered humanitarian relief” can enter the territory.

The Community Education Council (CEC) is made up of nine (9) volunteer parents from District 14, who are elected for two-year terms by the parents of children in District 14 schools and two (2) volunteer members who are appointed by the borough president. One additional member is a non-voting high school senior. Elected parents must have a child in a district school grades PreK – 8. Certain community members, including charter school parents may apply for an appointment by the borough president.

 

The councilman’s statement also comes two days after a white van spray painted in red with the words “Kill Jews” was seen on Jerome Avenue in Norwood on Tuesday, Nov. 7 [Election Day], as reported. It was the second such display of antisemitic vandalism seen in the neighborhood in the space of about a week.

 

The front of local Jewish center, the Sholem Aleichem Cultural Center, located on Bainbridge Avenue, was spray painted in black and purple with the words “Free Palestine,” on Halloween, Oct. 31, as reported, prompting immediate condemnation by local elected officials, including State Sen. Gustavo Rivera (S.D. 33), the councilman, who is Jewish, and his father, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81), who is also Jewish.

On Nov. 7, U.S. Sen. Kirstin Gillibrand, delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate, drawing attention to the hostages kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7. She later tweeted on X, formerly known as Twitter, “It’s been exactly one month since Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel. For the families of those taken hostage, this month has been unbearable as they wait for their loved ones to return home safely. I’m praying for these families, and I won’t stop fighting until we #BringThemHomeNow.”

 

Meanwhile, a group of healthcare workers / Palestinian supporters gathered by City Hall in Manhattan on Friday evening, Nov. 3, to read out the names and pray for healthcare workers killed in Gaza since Oct. 8. Some wore scrubs and white lab coats, with one attendee (also dressed in scrubs) saying the rally had been organized by local healthcare workers.

Police said hate crimes increased citywide by 124% (101 v. 45) in October, compared to September, driven by a 214% (69 v. 22) spike in anti-Jewish incidents. Overall, however, year-to-date citywide hate crimes decreased by 9% (485 v. 531) police said.

Also on Nov. 9, the NY Daily News reported that a group of boys spray painted swastikas, and “Hamas” on Upper East Side buildings in Manhattan. Dinowitz previously spoke to Norwood News for a profile we wrote on his candidacy in 2021 when he first ran for office, about his work as a teacher, working with other teachers on specific cross-cultural programs, educating students who may not have been aware of the meaning behind swastikas and other symbols.

To read our previous coverage on the local impact on events in the Middle East, click here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here, as well as a recent op-ed.

 

For those wishing to donate to help humanitarian efforts in the Middle East, UNICEF is coordinating aid for those affected by the conflict. Visit https://www.unicefusa.org/.