Zionist insanity in NYC
August 10, 2007, 2:08 pm Under Fire, Arabic-Themed School’s Principal Resigns By Julie Bosman
Updated, 5:56 p.m. | The principal of a new Arabic-themed public
school in Brooklyn resigned under pressure today, days after she was
quoted defending the use of the word “intifada” as a T-shirt slogan.
Debbie Almontaser, a veteran public school teacher, was hired to lead
the Khalil Gibran International Academy, a middle school that was
scheduled to open this fall. An immediate replacement was not
announced, and Ms. Almontaser’s abrupt exit left the future of the
school in question.
Ms. Almontaser is a well-known Muslim activist in New York City and a
member of a prominent Yemeni-American family in Brooklyn. She helped
to educate children in interfaith understanding after 9/11. Her son
Yousif has served in the Army National Guard. Five of her nephews
have served in Iraq as marines; Andrea Elliott of The Times wrote
about the nephews’ service in an article published last August.
(Daniel J. Wakin of The Times wrote about Ms. Almontaser’s work in
November 2001 and August 2002.)
This week, Ms. Almontaser has found herself in the crosshairs of
public scrutiny.
The remarks that made her the focus of criticism were in response to
questions from The New York Post over the phrase “Intifada NYC,”
which was printed on T-shirts sold by Arab Women Active in Art and
Media, a Brooklyn-based organization that the Anti-Defamation League
asserts is linked to Hamas. The Post reported that Ms. Almontaser is
a board member of the Saba Association of American Yemenis, which
shares office space with the women’s group. Here is The Post’s
account of Ms. Almontaser’s comments:
“The word [intifada] basically means ’shaking off.’ That is the root
word if you look it up in Arabic,” she said.
“I understand it is developing a negative connotation due to the
uprising in the Palestinian-Israeli areas. I don’t believe the
intention is to have any of that kind of [violence] in New York City.
“I think it’s pretty much an opportunity for girls to express that
they are part of New York City society … and shaking off oppression.”
Ms. Almontaser issued an apology the next day, saying that she
regretted her remarks. “By minimizing the word’s historical
associations, I implied that I condone violence and threats of
violence,” she said in a statement.
But the apology was followed by criticism from Randi Weingarten, the
president of the United Federation of Teachers. Ms. Weingarten
stopped short of calling for Ms. Almontaser’s resignation, but called
the word intifada “something that ought to be denounced, not
explained away.”
(Meanwhile, The Post excoriated Ms. Almontaser in editorials on
Tuesday and today. The Post also reported today that only six Arabic-
speaking students have signed up to attend the school, which is to
open next month. The school, which was expected to have about 60
students, was to share space with the Brooklyn High School of the
Arts and the Math and Science Exploratory School in Boerum Hill.)
The Khalil Gibran International Academy is to offer a standard
college preparatory curriculum that includes an emphasis on Arabic
language, culture and history. The school’s mission is not religious.
However, a coalition called Stop the Madrassa has organized
opposition to the school, arguing that the school would teach
“Islamist curricula.”
This morning, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said he continued to support
the Arabic-themed school, but welcomed Ms. Almontaser’s departure. He
said in his weekly radio call-in program on WABC-AM:
“I know the woman. She’s worked for the city in a variety of
capacities. She’s very smart. She’s certainly not a terrorist. She
really does care. And she said something a couple days ago -– she got
a question, she’s not all that media-savvy maybe, and she tried to
explain a word rather than just condemn. But I think she felt that
she had become the focus of — rather than having the school the
focus, so today she submitted her resignation, which is nice of her
to do. I appreciate all her service and I think she’s right to do so.
But now, let’s look to the future.”
The mayor added: “Having an Arabic dual-language school is a really
important thing down the road. We need Arabic speakers in this city.”
At 2:41 p.m. today, Ms. Weingarten released this statement:
We respect Ms. Almontaser’s decision to resign to allow the Khalil
Gibran International Academy to go forward with its educational
mission. Getting a new school up and running is challenging under the
best of circumstances, and the controversy surrounding her was a
distraction that kept concerned parents and educators from focusing
on the benefits and potential of this dual-language school. Ms.
Almontaser has a reputation for being a caring and dedicated
educator, and we hope she will continue to work for the benefit of
children.
At 3:10 p.m., the Education Department released this statement from
Ms. Almontaser:
This morning I tendered my resignation to Chancellor Klein, which he
accepted. I became convinced yesterday that this week’s headlines
were endangering the viability of Khalil Gibran International
Academy, even though I apologized. I have spent the last two years of
my nearly 15 years with the Department working to create the unique
educational opportunities that the school will offer. I will not
allow the recent outcry to undermine these possibilities for the
children of our city.
At 4:38 p.m., New Visions for Public Schools, a local group that
advocates for reform of the city’s public schools, said in a statement:
New Visions respects Debbie Almontaser’s decision to resign as
principal of the Kahlil Gibran International Academy. We want to
express our deep gratitude for her pioneering work in designing the
school. We remain deeply committed to the school’s mission of
preparing New York City’s students for a successful future in an
increasingly interdependent world.
With the continued support of Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein,
we will work with the Department of Education, the parents, the
community and staff of the school, to ensure that the school will be
ready to provide its students with a rigorous academic program
consistent with New York State academic standards, and a unique
opportunity for them to become fluent in Arabic. We look forward to
welcoming the first students when the Academy opens its doors next
month.
Michael M. Grynbaum contributed reporting.