{"id":2250094,"date":"2024-05-22T06:08:02","date_gmt":"2024-05-22T10:08:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-emails-show-alarming-level-of-anti-israel-activity-at-illinois-stem-school\/"},"modified":"2024-05-22T06:10:53","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T10:10:53","slug":"exclusive-emails-show-alarming-level-of-anti-israel-activity-at-illinois-stem-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-emails-show-alarming-level-of-anti-israel-activity-at-illinois-stem-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Exclusive: Disturbing Anti-Israel Activity Uncovered at Illinois STEM School"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fexclusive-emails-show-alarming-level-of-anti-israel-activity-at-illinois-stem-school%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2250094&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>An Illinois STEM school faces\u200b concerning anti-Israel sentiment among students and faculty, as revealed through\u2064 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/university-of-iowa-college-republicans-temporarily-suspended-for-chalking-outside-without-face-masks\/\" title=\"University of Iowa College Republicans Temporarily Suspended For Chalking Outside Without Face Masks\">communication records obtained<\/a> by The Federalist. The emails\u2063 document instances of hostility towards Israel, mirroring growing antisemitism at US academic institutions. The school \u200cpresident expressed concerns over Israel-Hamas conflict, with \u200bstaff members advocating for\u200c impartiality. Student clubs raised\u2062 funds for \u200bUNRWA, prompting scrutiny \u200cover approved activities at the \u200dschool.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-content\">\n<p>An Illinois-based STEM school is experiencing an alarming level of anti-Israel activity among students and faculty, <a href=\"https:\/\/defendinged.org\/incidents\/emails-reveal-illinois-math-and-science-academy-administrator-referred-to-gaza-as-an-occupied-palestinian-territory-schools-amnesty-international-club-was-promoted-fundraiser-for-unrwa-posters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">communication records<\/a> provided to The Federalist show.<\/p>\n<p>Obtained via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/kentucky-cop-placed-on-leave-for-praying-in-front-of-abortion-clinic-will-return-to-work\/\" title=\"Kentucky Cop Placed On Leave For Praying In Front Of Abortion Clinic Will Return To Work\">open-records request<\/a> by Parents Defending Education (PDE), the emails in question document numerous instances of antagonism toward Israel by Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) staff and students. Much of the rhetoric and activities mirror <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/05\/06\/american-universities-are-on-a-death-spiral-and-we-should-help-them-along\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">growing antisemitism<\/a> at other U.S. academic institutions.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-2-long d-flex justify-content-center\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center; \" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-97841381\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1379703300879-0\" class=\"mb-30\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-527751bd40936810d5827fa192b15904 fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-2\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-527751bd40936810d5827fa192b15904\"><\/div>\n<p>On Oct. 15, 2023, for example, IMSA President Evan Glazer sent an email to staff in which he expressed concern about Hamas\u2019 Oct.7 attack on Israel that left <a href=\"https:\/\/www.timesofisrael.com\/israel-revises-death-toll-from-oct-7-hamas-assault-dropping-it-from-1400-to-1200\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">more than 1,200 civilians<\/a> dead. While the message was largely devoted to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/connecticut-lawmakers-move-to-block-parents-from-seeing-teacher-student-communications\/\" title=\"Connecticut Lawmakers Move To Block Parents From Seeing Teacher-Student Communications\">school-related matters<\/a>, Glazer wrote in the final paragraph that he \u201ccan\u2019t help but struggle over the reports out of Israel with the impact on citizens and children\u201d and encouraged faculty members to reach out to friends and family who may be affected by the tragedy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I lived in New York, we were good friends with an Israeli family, so I texted them and was relieved their family hadn\u2019t been harmed,\u201d Glazer wrote. \u201cIf we have any Israeli or Palestinian families, let\u2019s find a way to check in on them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In a response sent later that day, one staff member \u2014 whose name is redacted \u2014 complained there \u201cisn\u2019t much coverage of the effect the war has had on the Palestinian people\u201d and claimed \u201cthere has been as much if not more death and devastation\u201d in Gaza, a popular talking point inspired by fake casualty numbers peddled by Hamas terrorists. The staff member further opined that it was important that \u201cwe remain unbiased and impartial throughout this conflict without the appearance of taking sides.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Glazer responded to the unknown official\u2019s email the following day, providing a draft of remarks he intended to publish in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.imsa.edu\/student-life\/parent-resources\/titan-tuesday-archive\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">weekly newsletter<\/a> sent to students, parents, faculty, and staff. In his draft, Glazer stated: \u201cThe turmoil developing in Israel is a reminder that we have a responsibility to condemn violence that harms and displaces innocent lives. Regardless of a person\u2019s position on the conflict, citizens deserve dignity as Israelis and Palesinians [sic] work through their differences.\u201d He also called on students to learn from their differences with others to \u201ccome to terms on how we can be a more tolerant society.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-f785e2549cfc068b1d58b108c4a5e5ab fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-6\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-f785e2549cfc068b1d58b108c4a5e5ab\"><\/div>\n<p>While the official thanked Glazer for penning the article \u2014 which watered down the barbaric attack on civilians as a \u201cconflict\u201d and reduced the terrorism to \u201cdifferences\u201d \u2014 he or she fired back with the claim that \u201cthere\u2019s turmoil in both Israel and Gaza,\u201d and that the latter is \u201can occupied Palestinian territory.\u201d Glazer thanked the official for the \u201cclarification\u201d that evening.<\/p>\n<p>The IMSA president seemingly embraced the undisclosed official\u2019s claims. An <a href=\"https:\/\/myemail-api.constantcontact.com\/Titan-Tuesday---October-17--2023.html?soid=1103133034704&#038;aid=9K9GDDYkATc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">amended version<\/a> of Glazer\u2019s article was published in the school newsletter the next day and included a paragraph that was altered to read: \u201cThe turmoil developing in Israel <em>and Gaza<\/em> is a reminder that we have a responsibility to condemn violence that harms and displaces innocent lives\u201d (emphasis added).<\/p>\n<p>Anti-Israel attitudes were also seemingly professed by members of the school\u2019s student body. On Nov. 15, 2023, an unidentified IMSA area coordinator sent an email informing DEI Director Adrienne Coleman and other school officials that he or she had come across a fundraising pamphlet in a classroom that links to a United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) website.<\/p>\n<p>As Yaron Brook <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/04\/02\/defunding-unrwa-is-a-good-start-but-we-should-scrutinize-all-foreign-aid\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wrote<\/a> in these pages, UNRWA \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.unrwa.org\/what-we-do\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">portrays itself<\/a> as a United Nations agency meant to help refugees.\u201d Earlier this year, however, \u201cinformation surfaced alleging at least a dozen UNRWA \u2018aid\u2019 workers took part in the brutal Oct. 7 Hamas attacks,\u201d and, \u201cIsraeli Defense Forces found <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/world\/hamas-command-tunnel-unrwas-headquarters-gaza-israel-says\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hamas tunnels running right underneath UNRWA\u2019s headquarters<\/a> in Gaza City.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-c5e1c177795187b97b6d18e58a172a57 fdrlst__b89e9-paragraph-10\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-c5e1c177795187b97b6d18e58a172a57\"><\/div>\n<p>In the email to Coleman and others, the area coordinator claimed: \u201cWhen I scan the QR code [linking to the fundraiser], it mentioned IMSA and had a student IMSA\u2019s name that created the page.\u201d This prompted the coordinator to question whether the pamphlets were \u201capproved\u201d for the IMSA campus and to explain, \u201cIn the past, we had student clubs have to receive a stamp before posting flyers or pamphlets across campus.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIs this still a practice we follow?\u201d the coordinator asked.<\/p>\n<p><strong>[RELATED:[RELATED:<a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2024\/02\/07\/exclusive-parental-rights-group-files-complaint-against-illinois-school-for-racist-black-and-hispanic-only-programs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Parental Rights Group Files Complaint Against Illinois School For Racist Black- And Hispanic-Only Programs<\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Photographs of the pamphlet indicate the handout was published by IMSA\u2019s Amnesty International and Muslim Students Association (MSA) clubs. The front of the pamphlet reads, \u201cPalestine: The Ongoing Nakba,\u201d apparently in reference to Israel\u2019s war of independence, which was launched by five Arab armies in 1948 after the creation of a Jewish state. The headline is accompanied by a Palestinian flag and a series of maps showing what the pamphlet\u2019s authors claim to be the \u201cPalestinian Loss of Land\u201d from 1947 to today.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"> <span class=\"Ys8XcQq7462ivu31dGOjgNmFAetRfkyoraJhWZIlT5\"><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Correct. The anniversary of &#8220;Nakba&#8221; commemorates the day the entire Islamic world rejected a Palestinian state, began a war, attempted to massacre the ME Jewish population, and started ejecting 750000 Jews from their ancestral homes. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/g9MgjeprkQ\">https:\/\/t.co\/g9MgjeprkQ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 David Harsanyi (@davidharsanyi) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/davidharsanyi\/status\/1790721407707435499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 15, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/span> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Meanwhile, the back of the pamphlet includes a section labeled \u201cFalse Narratives,\u201d which attempts to disprove true statements about the Israel-Hamas conflict, such as, \u201cAnti-Zionism Is Anti-Semitism,\u201d and, \u201cIsrael Is Defending Itself.\u201d Under the latter statement, the pamphlet claims: \u201cThis claim stems from a lack of historical context,\u201d and, \u201cAs occupied people, the Palestinians have the right to resistance in any way possible, and Israel DOES NOT have the right to defend itself.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>No follow-up emails to the coordinator\u2019s inquiry about the pamphlet \u201cwere provided in the request response\u201d filed by Parents Defending Education, <a href=\"https:\/\/defendinged.org\/incidents\/emails-reveal-illinois-math-and-science-academy-administrator-referred-to-gaza-as-an-occupied-palestinian-territory-schools-amnesty-international-club-was-promoted-fundraiser-for-unrwa-posters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">according<\/a> to the group. <\/p>\n<p>The Amnesty International and MSA pamphlets are just the tip of the iceberg, however. Fliers apparently displayed at IMSA are emblazoned with the slogan: \u201cFrom the river to the sea Palestine will be free,\u201d a phrase <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msn.com\/en-us\/news\/world\/don-t-buy-rashida-tlaib-co-s-lie-from-the-river-to-the-sea-has-always-meant-erasing-israel\/ar-BB1mwKJj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">often used<\/a> by pro-Hamas demonstrators to call for the eradication of Israel.<\/p>\n<p>A separate email acquired by PDE shows an unidentified IMSA student seemingly affiliated with the Student Coalition for Racial Justice club asking an administrator about funding for stamps the group could use to send letters to \u201crepresentatives in favor of calling for a ceasefire\u201d in so-called Palestine.<\/p>\n<p>In a statement to The Federalist, PDE Director of Outreach Erika Sanzi blasted IMSA officials for \u201cproselytizing about the Middle East conflict to a captive audience of students\u201d and called on them to \u201cfind another job\u201d if they \u201cprefer to be activists during the school day.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a math and science academy, not a madrassa,\u201d Sanzi said.  <\/p>\n<div class=\"fdrlst__b89e9-3ab7fc48715d68a506ce370443bc273e fdrlst__b89e9-after-post-content\" id=\"fdrlst__b89e9-3ab7fc48715d68a506ce370443bc273e\"><\/div>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\">    \t\t\t\t\t   \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An Illinois STEM school faces significant anti-Israel sentiments among students and faculty, as revealed in emails obtained by The Federalist. The communication, acquired through a request by Parents Defending Education (PDE), details multiple instances of hostility toward Israel at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":539,"featured_media":2250095,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMSA-Pal-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2250094","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMSA-Pal-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2250094","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/539"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2250094"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2250094\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2250095"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2250094"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2250094"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2250094"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}