New York City schools chancellor testifies before Congress on antisemitism
WASHINGTON (WABC) -- New York City Schools Chancellor David Banks was on Capitol Hill on Wednesday to testify about antisemitism in K-12 schools.
It was the first of the hearings to focus on K-12 education and comes amid a wave of pro-Palestinian protests at colleges and universities across the country.
It follows hearings from several university presidents -- including the presidents of Penn and Harvard -- who both resigned after their testimony.
The House Committee on Education and the Workforce also invited school leaders from Montgomery County, Maryland, and Berkeley, California, to answer questions.
Banks answered questions on several antisemitic incidents in New York City schools and what the school system is doing to address the issue.
He said his approach is three-pronged and is focusing on safety, engagement and education.
He stressed in his testimony Wednesday that students should feel safe and shouldn't have to worry about hate crimes anywhere, especially in school.
Banks said the schools system is engaging with Jewish community organizations as well as Muslim groups to better create better solutions.
As for education, he said they are creating better curriculum and increasing training for teachers and school leaders.
"We cannot simply discipline our way out of this problem, the true antidote to ignorance and bias is to teach," Banks said. "My own children learned about antisemitism firsthand from our next-door neighbors who are Holocaust survivors in Teaneck, New Jersey."
Banks said amid current events, the need for education is even more pressing.
When it comes to discipline, Banks said they have removed or disciplined a dozen staff members and suspended 30 students.
Republicans demanded tougher consequences for teachers and principals accused of antisemitism. They repeatedly confronted Banks over the case of a high school principal who was reassigned but not fired after a chaotic student demonstration protesting a pro-Israel teacher.
Banks said it was "clearly an act of antisemitism," and some students were suspended. The principal was removed from the school "for a lack of leadership" and moved to an administrative role.
The school system is also calling on the NYPD for help whenever hate crimes are committed.
Banks also questioned whether the panel's actions had brought schools any closer to address antisemitism on campuses.
"This convening, for too many people across America in education, feels like the ultimate 'gotcha' moment," he said. "It doesn't sound like people who are actually trying to solve for something that I believe we should be doing everything we can to solve for."
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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