US Faces Uproar as Teachers Union Sends Map Depicting Palestine Without Israel
The National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers’ union in the United States, is facing significant backlash. This follows their email distribution to around three million members, which included a map showing all Palestinian lands without any reference to Israel. Some pro-occupation groups have labeled this as an “unjustifiable error.”
Controversial Map Sparked Outrage
The email, sent on a Friday, was part of a campaign aimed at providing educational resources about Indigenous peoples. The map clarified that the historical land of Palestine should be labeled solely as “Palestine,” omitting any mention of the state of Israel. This information was reported by the Jewish News Syndicate, which cited the Institute for Values in North America.
Allegations of Anti-Semitism
The message distributed by the NEA also included materials deemed “shocking” by some, as they allegedly justified Hamas’s actions on October 7, 2023. Stephen Rosenberg, the regional director of the Institute, expressed concern. He stated that it is troubling for the country’s largest teachers’ union to promote materials that are perceived as anti-Semitic and to legitimize what Israel has termed the October 7 atrocities, while also endorsing groups labeled as terrorists.
Calls for Accountability
Rosenberg criticized the absence of professional standards and responsibility in the NEA’s actions, emphasizing the need for public accountability. He noted that the withdrawal of the materials from the NEA’s website without public explanation does not exhibit transparency. While the NEA acted to remove some content from their site, the controversial “digital Indigenous lands” map continues to depict Palestine as encompassing the entire area.
A NEA spokesperson attempted to clarify the situation to the New York Post. They indicated that the union’s team discovered one of the external resources did not meet their criteria and acted swiftly to remove it after review. The spokesperson reiterated the union’s opposition to anti-Semitism and announced a comprehensive examination of all external links. They expressed commitment to finding alternative sources that comply with the union’s standards.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In light of the criticism, Rosenberg urged the NEA to provide a public explanation and to issue clear apologies. He asserted that this incident cannot be overlooked without proper accountability. As the discussion continues, the NEA faces an uphill battle to restore trust among its members and the public.
