The National Association of Independent Schools’ (NAIS) annual “equity and justice” conference has been criticized as a “festival of Jew hate” by attendees and parents, after Jewish students reported feeling unsafe and unwelcome due to inflammatory rhetoric from speakers.
During the event, attended by approximately 8,000 students and educators, speakers accused Israel of “ethnic cleansing” and “genocide” while downplaying the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks that killed 1,200 Israeli civilians. Dr. Suzanne Barakat described Zionism as a “strain” stemming from European nationalism, referred to Jewish immigration to Palestine as “colonization,” and claimed Israel’s actions amount to “the most documented genocide in modern history.” Critics noted her rhetoric resembled Holocaust denial.
“There was an overwhelming feeling that we were not welcome,” said a Jewish senior from Los Angeles’ Milken Community School. Another student recalled, “I noticed people looking at my Star of David necklace. I no longer felt safe at a conference literally built for inclusion.”
Jewish leaders expressed outrage over NAIS President Debra Wilson’s response, calling her acknowledgment of hurt feelings inadequate. “Nobody could even bring themselves to say the word ‘antisemitism,’” said Milken’s head of school, Sarah Shulkind. “Most horrifying is that the thousands of educators that were in that room teach at the nation’s most elite schools . . . they stood and cheered.”
In the closing session, Princeton Professor Ruha Benjamin wore Palestinian solidarity symbols and accused Israel of “oppression” and Gaza of suffering a “genocide.” Students reported leaving her presentation in tears.
Jewish leaders have demanded stronger vetting of future speakers and a formal apology from NAIS. Wilson responded by pledging that future presentations would be submitted in advance and offered collaboration with Jewish groups to prevent further harm.
