Philadelphia school district hit with virulent anti-Semitism allegations: ADL takes action

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), represented pro bono by the prestigious law firm Mayer Brown LLP, has filed a federal civil rights complaint against the School District of Philadelphia, alleging a deeply troubling climate of antisemitic harassment and discrimination.

The Title VI complaint, submitted to the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, accuses the Philadelphia school district of fostering a “viciously hostile” environment for Jewish students across grades K through 12.

The complaint details a disturbing pattern of “severe and persistent harassment and discrimination” that has reportedly worsened since the October 7 Hamas massacre in Israel. According to the ADL, this event triggered a “virulent wave of antisemitism” that swept through Philadelphia's schools, creating a toxic atmosphere where Jewish students have been subjected to openly antisemitic bullying by both peers and teachers. The harassment has reportedly occurred in hallways, classrooms, and online, with the district failing to address numerous incidents of antisemitic behavior.

James Pasch, Senior Director of National Litigation at the ADL, expressed grave concerns over the situation, stating, “Since the October 7 attack, the Philadelphia Schools have fostered a toxic environment that has allowed antisemitism against Jewish students to metastasize and fester without repercussions.”

He further criticized the district for creating a culture of retaliation and fear that has discouraged Jewish parents and students from coming forward with their complaints. This federal complaint aims to bring to light these serious issues and prompt necessary changes to ensure a safe and equitable learning environment for all students.

* Arutz 7 contributed to this article.