ST. PAUL, Min. – There are concerns about anti-Semitism ahead of a vote by the Twin Cities teachers union to take a position on the war in Gaza.
The St. Paul Federation of Educators will vote next week on a resolution calling for the signing of a letter calling on the Biden administration to cut military aid to Israel in hopes of a ceasefire in Gaza.
The union’s Progressive Caucus, which introduced the resolution, wrote a signature question and answer about it October 7 Hamas terrorist attack when “several resistance organizations in Gaza rise up[ing] against Israel.”
“It’s language that allows hate to seep into our community and creates an environment that I don’t think is conducive to learning,” said union member Tiffany Goldman.
Goldman says she and several other Jewish teachers feel the union is not supporting them by allowing the vote to proceed.
Sami Rahamim of the Jewish Community Relations Council says that justifying the October 7 attack in any way is anti-Jewish and could lead to violence.
“It tells St. Paul Jewish families and students that there is a very real possibility that their teacher is someone who thinks the mass murder of Jewish people is resistance, some kind of social justice,” he said.
The Progressive Caucus says in the Q&A that a ceasefire would make Jews safer.
It says these issues are relevant to the union because the union’s pension includes investments related to the war.
The union and its leadership did not immediately respond to WCCO’s request for comment.
Goldman believes it is irresponsible to divert attention from upcoming contract negotiations.
“It’s frustrating for me that I have to step away from my teaching and lesson planning to focus on this,” she said. “If this resolution passes, I will seek to no longer be a member of the union. The union no longer represents my values.”
In a statement, St. Paul Public Schools said the union represents its employees and operates independently of the district.
“SPPS supports the rights of SPFE to express their views as an organization. The district has clear policies and procedures regarding what is expected in the classroom and remains committed to maintaining learning environments that are free from discrimination, harassment, violence or retaliation. the statement continued.
