A young boy in Staten Island was attacked by a group of kids in the schoolyard. The attackers spewed antisemitic hate towards the Jewish student, but school officials failed to intervene. The incident took place at Egbert Intermediate School on October 25, 2023. The boy, who was just 4-foot-8 and 85 pounds, was chased, pushed to the ground, and kicked by his tormentors. The attackers shouted, “F–k Israel! It’s all your fault!” during the assault.
The boy’s mother described the attack as traumatizing, stating that the attackers kicked his face and knees. Despite reporting the incident to a teacher, the assistant principal, and the principal, no immediate action was taken by the school to address the situation. The boy was not given medical attention, and the school allegedly sent him home on a city bus.
The victim, identified as B.A., never returned to the school due to the trauma he experienced. The family decided to move to New Jersey following the attack. The boy’s mother expressed her distress, noting that the incident had a significant impact on their lives.
The 13-year-old victim believes he was targeted because he mentioned his interest in joining the Israel Defense Forces during a class discussion about future careers. The family met with police the day after the incident but did not press charges against the attackers.
A lawsuit has been filed against the city and the Department of Education, seeking unspecified damages for the attack. The family’s lawyer emphasized the disturbing nature of the incident, stating that targeting and beating someone for being Jewish in a public school is unacceptable.
The rise in antisemitism following the terrorist attack in Israel on October 7, 2023, has raised concerns about hate in New York City public schools. The Department of Education spokesperson emphasized that hate has no place in schools and that all students and staff deserve to feel safe. The lawsuit will be reviewed by the authorities once it is received.
This incident sheds light on the importance of addressing hate and intolerance in schools to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. Education and awareness are crucial in combating antisemitism and other forms of discrimination within educational settings. Schools must take immediate action to prevent and address such incidents to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.
