On June 20, Toronto District School Board (TDSB) trustees voted 15-7 to add the term “anti-Palestinian racism” to its anti-racism strategy. As a result, a new working group will be established to create a stand-alone strategy to address anti-Palestinian racism and discrimination in schools, and the board will introduce a “professional learning series” on the topic. While on its face this development might seem righteous and well-intentioned, for many in the Jewish community, highlighting anti-Palestinian racism raises red flags. In light of these dynamics and the potential risks, we need to start having more challenging conversations about anti-Palestinian racism, even if those conversations are uncomfortable.
