Minneapolis Teachers Retract Statement Called 'Antisemitic' By JCRC

MINNEAPOLIS —The Minneapolis Federation of Teachers on Wednesday night passed a resolution expressing regret for a previous statement that some called antisemitic, including the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC).

"I am grateful to my fellow union members for showing up, supporting this resolution, and rejecting a divisive ESP resolution," Anne Silverman, the MFT member who introduced the resolution.

The resolution below passed with 115 yes votes, 69 no votes, and 8 abstentions:

When we speak as a union, we must speak with unity and not division.

The foremost priorities for the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers are the education and physical, mental and emotional safety of all Minneapolis Public Schools students. We are especially concerned in this moment for our Jewish, Muslim, Israeli, and Palestinian students, who are deeply hurting. Our focus must remain centered on fostering a safe learning environment for all students.

While it was not MFT members’ intent, the "Israel-Palestine" resolution passed at our October 25 meeting harmed many Jewish members, students, and families while causing unnecessary division within our union. We regret this.

We are reaffirming the purpose of this union: the welfare of all members and students. We never want to cause harm to anyone, and we must stay united as we move forward.

As a union whose mission is to “promote, strengthen and improve public schools” and “protect and promote the well-being of our members,” we recommit to this promise.

"Shockingly," after the above resolution passed, "a motion from the floor was made to approve an equally divisive resolution addressing the Israel-Hamas war," the JCRC said.

The second resolution was defeated by a vote of 87 no, 68 yes, and 10 abstentions.

"I am grateful to my fellow union members for showing up, supporting this resolution, and rejecting a divisive ESP resolution," Anne Silverman, the MFT member who introduced the resolution tonight said: “

The controversy began on Nov. 14, when MFT Local 59 shared its resolution that stated the following:

MFT mourns the loss of innocent life in Israel and occupied Palestine. We categorically reject violence against all civilians whether Israeli or Palestinian. We therefore call for an immediate ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and to de-escalate the conflict. As Americans, we also condemn the role our government plays in supporting the system of Israeli occupation and apartheid, which lies at the root of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Finally, we call on the Minnesota State Legislature to repeal anti-BDS (boycott, divest, sanctions) legislation as it stifles free speech and discriminates against Palestinian refugees, their families, and their supporters. The BDS movement is a peaceful and powerful way to affect lasting, positive change in the region.

Raleigh Shapiro Fromstein was the MFT member who first contacted JCRC about the Oct. 25 resolution. According to Fromstein, "From the moment I reached out, JCRC staff responded immediately. We could not have achieved tonight’s double victory without JCRC’s strategic guidance."