Antisemitic Content in NEA-Distributed Resources

As the Jewish Affairs Caucus, we express our deep disappointment and concern over the National Education Association’s recent distribution of third-party classroom resources in recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day that included antisemitic content, terror-linked, and falsified content.

The Indigenous Peoples Day email sent to nearly three million educators linked to Native Land Digital, a site whose map erases Israel and promotes materials connected to hate and violence. Among these were resources that glorify terrorism, deny the Holocaust, and spread conspiracies like “Zionists allied with Nazis.” These materials were distributed under the NEA’s name without review or warning and were removed only after public outrage.

Even more concerning is that the NEA’s statement condemning this content was grossly inadequate. It offered no apology to Jewish members, no directive to teachers to stop using the materials, and once again diluted accountability by pairing antisemitism with “anti-Palestinian bigotry.” Jewish pain was treated as an afterthought rather than the focus.

We fully support the importance of honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day and uplifting Indigenous voices, histories, and struggles. However, the inclusion of materials that perpetuate antisemitic tropes and misinformation is unacceptable and harmful, not only to Jewish educators, students, and community members, but also to the broader goal of building solidarity among all marginalized groups.

Antisemitism has no place in any educational context, especially not in resources endorsed or shared by the nation’s largest educators' union. Regardless of intent, the circulation of these materials has caused real pain and alienation for Jewish members of the NEA, many of whom look to the union for safety, inclusion, and respect.

We call on the NEA to:

• Publicly apologize for the harm caused by this oversight;

• Direct educators and affiliates not to use Native Land Digital or its resources.

• Remove and disavow the antisemitic content;

• Review and strengthen its vetting process for third-party resources;

• Engage in direct dialogue with the Jewish Affairs Caucus and other impacted communities to rebuild trust;

• Partner with the Jewish Affairs Caucus to create safeguards and training;

• Affirm antisemitism as a distinct civil rights issue; and

• Recognize Jewish ethnicity to ensure full minority representation.
  

We remain committed to working in solidarity with all communities fighting for justice and equity. But that work must begin with accountability and a shared commitment to reject hate in every form.