'BLM at School' group that blamed Israel for terrorist invasion supported by teachers' unions in past

WASHINGTON (CITC) — The two largest teachers' unions in the U.S. are refusing to say whether they still support a Black Lives Matter group that blamed Israel for the Hamas terrorist invasion.

Black Lives Matter at School (BLM at School) is an organization "struggling for liberation and racial justice in education," according to its website. School districts nationwide have implemented the organization's annual "Week of Action," meant to spark conversations about race and various social justice topics.

BLM at School has routinely received the backing of the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). NEA, which has a "toolkit" dedicated to BLM at School on its website and promoted the organization and its "Week of Action" in January.

AFT states in its resolution that the union is committed to partnering with BLM at School. In February, AFT members nationwide celebrated the organization's "Week of Action" by attending webinars on detecting "under-representation or misrepresentation of Black history" in social studies courses.

While frequently sharing common goals, the three recently differed in responses to the Hamas invasion of Israel. BLM at Schools is currently under fire for its statement released Tuesday appearing to blame the attacks on Israel's "apartheid" government.

READ MORE | Wisconsin school district backs BLM group that blamed Israel for Hamas invasion, sparking outrage

"[BLM at School] wants to be clear in our recognition that this unfolding loss of Palestinian and Israeli lives is the direct result of decades of Israeli settler colonialism, land dispossession, occupation, blockade, apartheid, and attempted genocide of millions of Palestinians," the organization wrote. "Palestinians are reminding us that decolonization is not a metaphor or abstraction, but requires real, daily struggle."

BLM at School's statement contains no direct mention of Hamas, unlike those of both NEA and AFT. NEA president Becky Pringle condemned Hamas as "terrorists" last week, writing in her union's statement that the terrorist group's actions "can never be justified."

" ... We condemn their [Hamas'] attack on civilians that led to the brutal and massive loss of life, the kidnapping of innocent people, and the shattering of so many lives," Pringle said. "As the death toll and humanitarian crisis mounts in Gaza ... we call for a renewed sense of urgency in resolving this ongoing conflict that has led to the inhumane violence facing the Israeli and Palestinian people."

AFT expressed similar sentiments, writing in the days immediately following the Hamas invasion that "Israel has every right to defend itself."

“We unequivocally stand with the Israeli people against the heinous and inhuman attack by Hamas against innocent civilians," AFT wrote in an Oct. 9 statement. "The unconscionable attacks on innocent people, including young people at a concert, babies and grandmothers, must be condemned in the strongest terms."

READ MORE | BLM chapters across the US side with Palestinians amid Hamas massacre of Israelis

Crisis in the Classroom (CITC) has repeatedly reached out to both NEA and AFT to learn whether the unions still stand by BLM at School after the organization's remarks, but neither has responded. CITC has pointed both NEA and AFT to the stark differences between the unions' statements and BLM at School's own.

Milwaukee Public Schools, the largest school district in Wisconsin, was heavilycriticized by a parents' rights group last week for asking students to participate in a competition supporting BLM at School. Parents Defending Education told CITC the organization's response to the Israel-Hamas war should make the school district question the decision, claiming that "BLM has never been shy about their contempt for Israel and for Jews."

CITC also reached out to BLM at School to learn whether the statements of NEA and AFT will impact its willingness to work with the unions, but did not immediately receive a response. This story will be updated if a response is received.