State reps ask Pa. attorney general to investigate the Philly schools for alleged discrimination of Jewish students
The Republican representatives, including Martina White of Philadelphia, asked Sunday to "investigate this matter to determine if any criminal activity occurred".
A group of state representatives asked Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday to investigate whether a “systemic pattern of discrimination” against Jewish students occurs in the Philadelphia School District.
Citing a congressional investigation into Philadelphia and other districts, and reports of antisemitic incidents against city students, members of the Pennsylvania House Republican leadership and Martina White, a Republican representing Philadelphia, wrote to the attorney general urging a probe.
“The Office of Attorney General must ensure that Jewish students have a safe learning environment that is free from discrimination within the SDP,” the representatives wrote in the letter, which was sent Monday. “We ask you to investigate this matter to determine if any criminal activity occurred and take the appropriate action your office deems necessary.”
Monique Braxton, district spokesperson, said the school system “strives to create welcoming and inclusive environments that allow our students to feel safe and heard” and has “taken steps to protect and educate students and staff against antisemitism and other forms of hate and remains committed to fostering learning environments where all students and staff feel safe and supported.”
Sunday’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The state representatives, in their letter, brought up allegations that some district educators “promote antisemitic content in their classrooms.”
In 2024, the district agreed to a settlement with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights after an investigation found it had not adequately investigated repeated claims of antisemitism, taken appropriate steps to respond to the claims, or maintained necessary records around the alleged acts.
The incidents that prompted that settlement included a swastika drawn on a door, antisemitic slurs, and allegations of social media-based harassment by district teachers and administrators after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, and Israel’s subsequent military operation in Gaza.
“Local parents have repeatedly indicated that these behaviors and this antisemitic atmosphere continue to persist throughout the SDP,” the representatives wrote. “Jewish students, like all students, should be able to learn in an environment that is free from discrimination.”
