ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA

NEWS RELEASE

ZOA Files Civil Rights Complaint Against Fairfax County, Virginia Public Schools for Tolerating Longstanding Antisemitism

The Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) has filed a civil rights complaint against Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) in Virginia, alleging longstanding antisemitism problems there that FCPS officials have failed to address, in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The complaint, against one of the largest school districts in the U.S., was filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights on January 25, 2022.

The ZOA’s complaint documents year of antisemitism in the schools, which FCPS officials knew about but did not respond to effectively, including but not limited to the following:

Jewish students have repeatedly been subjected to ethnic slurs, “Heil Hitler” salutes and Jewish “jokes” from their peers. One Jewish student received hundreds of antisemitic texts from two other students, which referred to the Jewish student as a “f**king Jew ass whore,” “f**king Jew,” “dirty Jew,” “Jew F**ktard,” and “dollar dealer”;

Swastikas have repeatedly defaced school property, without condemnation by FCPS officials or even any notice to the FCPS community that these incidents of antisemitic vandalism had occurred and would not be tolerated;

For years, the religious observance of Jewish students and staff has not been accommodated, with back-to-school nights, quizzes and other significant events being scheduled on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and teachers singling out Jewish students in class to question their religious observance.

Join Us in Florida (In-Person Event!)

Thursday, February 24, 2022

ZOA Florida "Heroes for Israel Gala"

Featuring Amb. David Friedman, Mayor Gabriel Groisman, Rabbi Ariel Yeshurun, and

ZOA National President Morton A. Klein

LEARN MORE

Founded in 1897, ZOA played a key role in the Jewish State's re-establishment. Today, ZOA is the leading major American Jewish organization courageously defending Israel and the Jewish people; fighting against all forms of antisemitism, including anti-Jewish boycotts; and promoting the Jewish people's lawful right to live in and settle historic Jewish lands. ZOA exposes that a Palestinian state would endanger Israel's existence; presents the facts about the Arab/Islamic war against Israel; and combats the anti-Israel lie that Israel is an "occupier" of her own land. ZOA spearheaded long battles to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, and apply civil rights protections to Jewish students. ZOA provides free legal assistance and programs to pro-Israel students at numerous college campuses. ZOA's bold, unapologetic voice has a significant impact on public discourse and policy.

DONATE NOW