By Holly Crocco
The Carmel School Board voted 4-2 at its July 9 meeting to issue a statement clarifying that words spoken by a board member at a recent protest in the community do not represent the district or the board.
During a June 22 pro-Palestine protest in front of the Historic Courthouse in Carmel, Trustee James Wise reportedly shouted inflammatory remarks at pro-Israel counter-protesters, which included fellow board member Melissa Orser.
Trustees Wise and Jori Douglas voted against issuing the statement that recognizes Wise’s remarks as “detrimental to the district’s work of recognizing the importance of addressing the issue of antisemitism and intolerance, and working to foster a culture of respect, understanding and acceptance.”
Newly appointed School Board President Orser read the statement into the record, noting that it was issued by herself, and Trustees Dawn Dall, Jason Paraskeva and John Curzio II.
The statement points out that over the past year there has been an “unsettling uptick of antisemitism” occurring, with multiple swastikas found on various properties, and other hateful actions taking place.
“It is crucial to recognize that expressing opinions should never cross a line into antisemitism,” read Orser. “Slogans like, ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,’ without understanding the impact it has – that it is a rallying cry for the destruction of Israel and in extension, the Jewish people … is not acceptable.
“As leaders, we have a responsibility to understand the difference between free speech, and speech that targets a group of people… When speech crosses the line to hate speech that targets marginalized groups, it is no longer a simple expression of opinion. It becomes a tool of division and harm.”
According to the Associated Press, the statement in question has become a “battle cry with new power to roil Jews and pro-Palestine activists in the aftermath of Hamas’ deadly rampage across southern Israel on Oct. 7, and Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip.”
However, the interpretation of that statement depends on whether you align with Palestine or Israel.
“Many Palestinian activists say it’s a call for peace and equality after 75 years of Israeli statehood and decades-long, open-ended Israeli military rule over millions of Palestinians,” states AP. “Jews hear a clear demand for Israel’s destruction.”
During the July 9 meeting, Wise said “from river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is not a call for the eradication of Israel, but rather a promise that “we as a people will work together to see Jews and Muslims live side by side in peace.”
Further, Wise said, “The board should in no way be weighing in on the question of whether Palestinians deserve freedom.”
Douglas echoed that sentiment, saying he’s not going to comment on the Israel/Palestine conflict. “I do not believe this is the forum to be commenting on someone else’s views surrounding that,” he said.
Dall voted in favor of issuing the statement from the board, denouncing Wise’s words and actions, but noted that she wasn’t happy bringing outside politics into the meeting.
“As a board, our duty and our job is to protect this district, the students and the people who live here and to keep whatever is happening outside out of here, so we can do our job,” she said. “We cannot do that if we are constantly at odds.”
During public comment, Carmel resident Canaan Nisim expressed over shock that a representative of the Carmel School Board would be shouting statements such as “baby killers,” “Israel is a terrorist state” and “the U.S. is a terrorist state.”
“There are children of Israeli descent in this school district,” she said. “If these are the types of statements a school board member is making, and the types of people a school board member stands with, how can I reasonably trust the Carmel School Board to protect my child and make sure they will not be a victim of discrimination on the basis of national origin?”
Other residents took issue with Wise sitting on the school board’s Curriculum Committee, after hearing his comments at the protest.
“The U.S. is not a terrorist state and we should not be teaching our children that the U.S. is s a terrorist state,” said one man. “We should not be allowing people to design the curriculum who believe the U.S. is s a terrorist state.”
“He has a right to say everything he wanted to say that day, but he also has a right to suffer consequences,” added Carmel Atria.
Other residents, such as “Taj A,” voiced support for Wise in his condemnation of the “slaughter” happening in Israel, and for his desire to see a free Palestine – urging the board to recognize both beliefs.
“Judaism does not justify the slaughter of thousands of innocent people,” he said. “Anti-Zionism is not antisemitism.”
Another man said the board should not seek to remove Wise. “We all are able to speak our mind,” he said. “Again, freedom of speech.”
Following public comment, Wise defended his right to express his beliefs and opinions.
“The number of speakers who got up, made clear for the most part that they are not Jewish, and just stated that they see antisemitism in statements by a Jewish man reflecting a view that the actions of Israel are immoral, unjust and unacceptable – a view that is shared by a majority of America’s Jews, and claiming that is antisemitic… I don’t know about you, but I don’t think it’s the role of anyone to tell anyone else what they should believe in their own religion,” he said.
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