Washington, D.C. | www.adc.org | October 11, 2023 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is extremely concerned about communications sent by school districts across the country regarding the ongoing bombardment and war on Palestine by Israel. Many of these statements are completely erasing the Palestinian perspective, and ignoring the impact the current situation has on Arab and Palestinian students. The statements have focused on only one community, and include harmful and violent content directed towards Palestinians and Arabs.
Additionally, ADC is concerned over the targeting of Arab, and Palestinian students on college campuses. Over the past two days ADC has been contacted by college students who are being targeted for their pro-Palestine views. Students explained to ADC the imminent threats they are facing on college campuses.
If you are a student, or a parent of a student, who has experienced harassment, threats, or intimidation on campus, please email the ADC Legal Department immediately at legal@adc.org.
You can also submit your story by clicking HERE
The lack of inclusivity in communications has left space for the vilification of Palestinians and Arabs. Excluding the suffering of the Palestinian people can only be seen as erasure and dehumanization. Many Palestinian Americans have family members in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip who are directly affected by Israel’s bombardment. In myopically focusing their communications, schools across the country are ensuring that Palestinian students, as well as any student that supports Palestinian rights, do not feel welcomed, or supported and fear attending class.
As hate and bigotry incidents across the US are at an all-time high, ADC expects that every facet of school systems not only provide resources that address the concerns of all affected communities, including Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims but also protect them from potential harm.
School administrators must reexamine their programming and training to make sure it addresses anti-Arab sentiment and Islamophobia within the school community. Schools must also offer training to their staff so that services offered are able to address the unique challenges faced by Arab students.
ADC has the resources available to help school districts appropriately address this ongoing war. Please email adc@adc.org for additional information.