For Immediate Release

YONKERS, NY –  On Thursday, antisemitic language was used towards Jewish players at a high school basketball game between the Leffell School and Roosevelt High School.

Congressman Jamaal released the following statement in response:

There is no place for antisemitism on the court, in our schools, or any other place in our society. The  behavior and harmful rhetoric displayed during Thursday’s game is unacceptable, and it’s our job as parents and educators to teach against hate in all forms so our children can learn and do better. Sports are spaces where we come together in friendly competition to  build character and community with  one another.

The ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine and the tragic loss of life of Palestinian and Israeli civilians has caused immeasurable trauma and pain for Palestinian, Israeli, Jewish, Muslim, and Arab people around the world. As we witness these horrific tragedies unfold, we must remember that Jewish Americans are not responsible for the actions of the Israeli government, just as Arab Americans are not responsible for the actions of Hamas. 

It is imperative that our schools and school activities be a safe haven for all students and families, especially at this time of collective pain and when so many feel unsafe. We must work together to ensure our schools are equipped to create safe spaces for all students, combat rising antisemitism and Islamophobia, and teach their students the civic skills and dispositions necessary to navigate hard moments in healthy, productive, empathetic, and human-centered ways. Furthermore, the collective work of preventing all forms of hate requires that students have opportunities to learn accurate and unbiased information about both history and current events, as well as opportunities to engage with diverse peers, perspectives, and cultures. We cannot shy away from this hard work of education, but we must remember and teach the importance of grounding our interactions in mutual understanding, truth, and empathy for all communities. This is the only path towards a society that centers peace and our shared humanity. 

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