A national private school group, the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), has apologized for comments made by speakers at a recent diversity and inclusion conference that were criticized by several Jewish organizations as antisemitic and perpetuating an anti-Israel bias.
The People of Color Conference, held in Denver earlier this month, aimed to promote the organization’s commitment to equity and inclusion in teaching, but was held on a day where Jewish organizations condemned the speakers’ remarks, calling them “extreme, biased anti-Zionist and anti-Israel rhetoric” that created a “hostile” environment for Jewish students and faculty in attendance.
The speakers allegedly labeled the establishment of Israel as a “racist” endeavor, accused Israel of genocide, and made other remarks that “normalized antisemitism.” A Jewish student in attendance reported feeling “so targeted, so unsafe” and others “glared and whispered,” with some hiding their Stars of David.
NAIS president Debra Wilson apologized for the “divisive and hurtful rhetoric” and pledged to implement changes to vet future speakers and content, stating that no last-minute changes would be permitted without explicit review and approval.
The controversy comes amid a rise in antisemitic incidents on school campuses, with a recent report from the US House Education Committee finding that college administrators “overwhelmingly failed” to address the issue, often making “astounding concessions” to pro-Palestinian groups while neglecting Jewish students. The incident has sparked concerns about the spread of antisemitism in educational institutions.