An advocacy group, Accuracy in Media [AIM], is highlighting a Philadelphia School District administrator and a Central Bucks School District teacher for their alleged antisemitism.
On Tuesday in Philadelphia, AIM had a mobile billboard placed at the school administration offices on North Broad Street with a picture of Ismael Jimenez, the social studies curriculum director.
In April, Jimenez posted on Instagram that educators should focus on advancing their political agenda rather than complying with state and local laws and regulations. Jimenez has also previously posted on Facebook defending Hamas and calling Israel a “terrorist state,” according to AIM.
In addition, the federal Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights is investigating the Philadelphia school district over reports of antisemitism in schools. The investigation opened on April 9. Incidents include a teacher crossing out Israel on a map, a swastika being drawn on a school door, and students using a computer game that asked, “Who do we hate?” The answers? Pork and Israel.”
AIM is also targeting Central Bucks School District Spanish teacher Youssef Abdelwahab with a mobile billboard on Wednesday. Abdelwahab shared antisemitic content on his social media account that’s related to his clothing business, with posts like “Zionism = Nazism.”
“On Oct. 10, 2023, only three days after the Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel, Abdelwahab posted content defending Hamas, stating, ‘resistance is justified when people are occupied,’” AIM noted.
According to parents, Abdelwahab, the advisor for the Muslim Student Association at Central Bucks High School West, has been sharing his social media accounts with students.
The Central Bucks School District is also under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education for antisemitism.
Abdelwahab runs an Instagram for his online business, where he’s made several antisemitic posts:
On October 10, just days after the Hamas massacre in Israel, Abdelwahab posted: “When people are occupied, resistance is justified! No Justice, No peace! Free Palestine!” The post advertised a headscarf called the “The Intifada Shiesty A-rag.”
On October 24, Abdelwahab claimed that “Israel and its Western supporters” were committing “genocide and ethnic cleansing.”
On November 22, Abdelwahab posted that he would be boycotting companies that “support Zionism, racism and genocide.”
On February 14, Abdelwahab posted that “Zionism = Nazism” and “Zionism = Antisemitic”
AIM suggests that school choice would curb the problem of antisemitic educators.
The billboards are part of AIM’s Antisemitism Accountability Project. AIM has placed billboards around the country, including at Harvard, Columbia and other universities where there have been antisemitic incidents “to shame the people responsible.”
AIM President Adam Gillette told DVJournal that the organization has had a lot of favorable results since it’s been publicizing hate since 2022. Since the Oct. 7 terror attack, they’ve gone to various university campuses, but now they are expanding their outreach to K-12 schools.
AIM also helped get former Penn President Liz Magill to step down. Magill and other university presidents testified before Congress, with Magill saying that calls for the genocide of Jews is allowed at Penn “in context.” And they also aided in getting Claudine Gay to step down from the presidency of Harvard. Gillette said they sent two moving vans to her house to help her move, but she didn’t avail herself of them.
He said that school choice is the best way to stop antisemitism and other forms of hatred being taught in the schools.
“No student should be geographically assigned to a school with antisemitic educators. The only solution is school choice,” he said. The money for education should “follow the child.” Different families have different values, different priorities, different religions, he added.
Gillette cited Diversity, Equity and Inclusion [DEI] programs as the genesis of the recent rise of antisemitism in the schools. In addition to appearing at the office and school where Jimenez and Abdelwahab work, the billboards will show up at their homes.
“It’s incredibly important for people to know who the antisemites are,” said Gillette.
Christina Clark, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia School District, sent this response: “The School District of Philadelphia strives to create welcoming and inclusive environments that allow our students to feel safe and learn. Acts of discrimination, hate speech, and harassment are unacceptable whether by, or against, students and staff. The district takes all complaints of bullying, harassment and discrimination seriously, including allegations of Antisemitism and Islamophobia, and will take appropriate action to both investigate allegations and prioritize the well-being of all students and staff.
“In addition to investigating allegations, the district has intentionally begun to roll out learning spaces and forums to provide school communities with additional opportunities to be heard and for collective learning.
The School District of Philadelphia, Baldi Middle School and Northeast High School are diverse communities – a point of pride and celebration. Our young people are watching and listening. We encourage all of us, staff, community members, and stakeholders of all kinds, to be the role models they deserve. If we all work to build bridges of empathy and understanding, and demonstrate respect, our young people will follow and will create a community where everyone feels valued and heard. Given ongoing investigation and personnel considerations, further details are not being provided.”
Central Bucks School District Acting Superintendent Jim Scanlon did not respond when asked to comment on Tuesday.
The billboards display the website, www.StopTeachingHate.com, which allows supporters to send a message directly to Gov. Josh Shapiro and several legislative leaders, calling on them to condemn antisemitism in schools and expand school choice for Pennsylvania families.
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