As a school board member, as a longtime educator, and as a candidate, I have been proud to work with UTLA on a variety of issues. Together, we have developed policies that support quality education for the children of our diverse communities within the LAUSD and celebrate the kaleidoscope of cultures that make up our school district.
My focus during my tenure as a School Board Member, and as an educator has always been focused on the students and families I served. My focus right now is making sure that every LAUSD student has the opportunity to experience the benefits of the Community Schools Model and I look forward to working with UTLA to protect our BSAP Students by defending our program from political attacks. My focus is on the urgent needs right here at home.
However, UTLA’s House of Representatives recently adopted a resolution that aims to put the entire blame for the current conflict in the Middle East on Israel, the only democracy in the region. The Union’s House of Representatives seems to believe that Hamas and its terrorist allies, who attacked Israel a little over a year ago, savagely murdering over 1400 innocent people had no role in starting the war that continues to this day. Is the House of Representatives not aware of the fact that from October 8 of last year on, Israel has been subjected to rocket and missile attacks from Lebanon into Northern Israel by the terrorist group Hezbollah, driving more than 100,000 Israeli non-combatants out of their homes?
Nowhere in that resolution was there a call for the return of the hostages kidnapped and taken by Hamas into Gaza on October 7, nor was there was a call for a ceasefire on the part of Hamas, Hezbollah or their terrorist allies.
It is disappointing that the 120 or so members of the Union’s House of Representatives have taken a position so clearly biased against Israel on behalf of the 32,000+ members of UTLA. It was also beyond disappointing to hear reports of antisemitic comments being directed at opponents of the resolution during the UTLA House of Representatives debate on the measure.
I have been outspoken in my support for an immediate ceasefire between Hamas and its terrorist allies and Israel, accompanied by the immediate release of all hostages held in Gaza by Hamas. I have always supported a two-state solution that sees a Palestinian state living in peace with the Jewish State of Israel. I call on the UTLA House of Representatives to reconsider the resolution that will have absolutely no influence whatsoever on leaders in the Middle East or Washington, D.C., but makes it clear to members of the Jewish community, and the Jewish parents and students at LAUSD, that the leadership of United Teachers Los Angeles has chosen to take sides.
I have always supported UTLA, as an educator and as a member of the Board of Education, however, I can not support this UTLA Resolution.