California Educators Encouraged to Teach Kids About Israeli 'Occupation'

An education union in Oakland, California, has condemned Israel's "illegal military occupation of Palestine," and called on teachers to educate students on the situation occurring between the Israelis and Hamas.

"We, the Oakland Education Association, mourn the tragic loss of both Palestinian and Israeli lives these past weeks. We unequivocally condemn the 75 year long illegal military occupation of Palestine. The Israeli government created an apartheid state and the Israeli government leaders have espoused genocidal rhetoric and policies against the people of Palestine," the Oakland Education Association wrote in a recent Facebook post.

Since October 7, fighting between Hamas militants and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has continued after the militant group led a surprise attack on Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this week that his country is entering a "second stage" of the current war with Hamas.

"There are moments in which a nation faces two possibilities: to do or die," Netanyahu said, according to the Associated Press. "We now face that test and I have no doubt how it will end: We will be the victors. We will do and we will be the victors." As of Monday, there have been over 9,000 casualties across both sides of the war, the Associated Press reported.

The Oakland Education Association post continued: "As educators of a diverse community here in Oakland, including those with family and friends directly impacted, our conscience demands that we say clearly that OEA calls for a ceasefire and an end to the occupation of Palestine."

The post said that teachers and educators in Oakland should contact their local representatives and urge them to support a ceasefire. "Educators have the academic freedom (Article 9 of the OUSD-OEA contract) and the responsibility to teach young people about the realities of the world we live in. Teach Palestine is a great resource for classroom materials," the post added.

The post from the Oakland Education Association also told teachers that lesson plans are being compiled by the union and noted that "any educators who face disciplinary actions based on their teaching will have the full support of the Association and OEA leadership."

"We call on the Oakland Unified School District and its Board of Directors to support students in their organizing efforts and their call for the Board to take a public stand in support of Palestinian people and for peace in the ongoing conflict. As a sanctuary district, all students are welcome here, and we believe our district should protect the First Amendment right of students to speak and assemble without censorship and intimidation," the post said.

Several social-media users criticized the stand taken by the Oakland Education Association.

"Oakland Education Association stands with Hamas," Zachary Braiterman wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

X user Laura Powell posted: "In this longer statement, the Oakland teachers' union not only 'unequivocally condemns' the 75-year 'occupation of Palestine' (i.e., the existence of Israel), but also encourages teachers to bring this perspective into the classrooms, providing them with resources and support."

Newsweek reached out to the Oakland Education Association and the California Department of Education via email for comment.

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