Emails reveal Illinois Math and Science Academy administrator referred to Gaza as “an occupied Palestinian territory”; school’s Amnesty International club was promoted fundraiser for UNRWA; posters were displayed around campus stating “From the river to the sea Palestine will be free”
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Emails obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request reveals that an Illinois Math and Science Academy administrator referred to Gaza as “an occupied Palestinian territory,” that the school’s Amnesty International club was fundraising for UNRWA, and that posters displayed around campus featured the slogan “From the river to the sea Palestine will be free.”
On October 16, 2023, a school administrator wrote back to the school president: “I want to point out that there’s turmoil in both Israel and Gaza, which is an occupied Palestinian Territory.”
A November 15, 2023, email shows a staff member notifying administration that the school’s Muslim Student Association (MSA) and Amnesty International clubs were handing out fundraising pamphlets for “Palestine” which links to a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) website. The pamphlet also includes a list of what they consider to be “false narratives” such as “Anti-Zionism is Anti-Semitism” and “Israel is defending itself.”
No follow up emails were provided in the request response.
Images reveal Palestinian flags displayed around campus with the slogan “From the river to the sea Palestine will be free.”
On January 31, 2024, a student asked an administrator about funding for stamps for the Student Coalition for Racial Justice club to send letters to “representatives in favor of calling for a ceasefire in Palestine.”
A chain of emails from an administrator reveals that on December 15, 2023, they asked about what plans IMSA had for observing “International Holocaust Remembrance Day.” In response, other administrators suggested reaching out to the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
On December 19, 2023, the DEI director responded with “I look forward to meeting with you next semester to discuss International Holocaust Remembrance Day.”
A follow up email on January 18, 2024, from the DEI director states that they “meet the following week and either think about what we can do after the actual event or begin to plan for next year.” The staff member replies that they would be happy to meet the next week “perhaps with a view of doing something in February.”
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