New York City’s Department of Education is under fire after a public schools newsletter linked to a controversial “Stop Gaza Genocide Toolkit” that many are calling antisemitic, the New York Post reported.

NYC Public Schools sent out a newsletter featuring Anti-Israel propaganda entitled “Stop Genocide Gaza Toolkit.” There is no place for ideological indoctrination in public education.

An apology from the Department of Education is necessary but insufficient. The individual… pic.twitter.com/pDCuY97crb

— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) April 7, 2025

The document — which appeared in the Office of Student Pathways’ April newsletter under the heading “Guidelines for teaching about genocide” — included calls to “Stop arming Israel,” launch divestment campaigns, and print pro-Palestinian protest materials. The 17-page guide outlines how to mobilize online, boycott organizations tied to Israel, and participate in coordinated days of protest — some of which were timed around the anniversary of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terror attack.

Here is a link to the hate document. We are not condoning this garbage by linking to this, it is important to read the hate that is being disseminated in public schools. LINK HERE

The backlash was swift from Jewish community members, parents, and educators. Critics said the toolkit promoted radical, misleading, and inflammatory rhetoric — and accused the city’s school system of allowing political activism and antisemitism to seep into classrooms.

“This is the systemic rot,” said Karen Feldman, a longtime teacher and co-founder of the NYC Public School Alliance. “These are hateful, misleading resources indoctrinating both students and parents.”

Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos called the incident a “troubling oversight” and condemned the document as hateful and antisemitic. She said the DOE took immediate action to remove the link and launched an investigation to determine how it was included.

But parents and advocacy groups said the issue goes beyond a single newsletter.

“This is not an isolated incident,” said Yael Denbo of Parents Against Antisemitism. “There is a deeper, systemic issue within the Department of Education that demands urgent reform.”

The Jewish Caucus of the New York City Council called the situation “unconscionable” and demanded consequences for those involved. Councilwoman Julie Menin called the incident “abhorrent and shameful,” while Councilman Eric Dinowitz said the link promoted “egregious and harmful” content.

Advocacy group #EndJewHatred, which flagged the newsletter link on social media, said the DOE must go further than just removing the document. “If NYCPS is serious about protecting Jewish students, it needs to be transparent about what happened, who’s responsible, and impose real consequences — including termination.”

The Department of Education has not named who added the link, and further details of the investigation remain unclear.