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Add a GTA school principal to the list of professionals who have found themselves in the hot seat for anti-Israel social media postings.
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We have seen this happen to an airline pilot, a police officer, restaurant servers and a journalist.
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And now it’s the principal of Tribune Drive Public School in Brampton.
All of this has happened as a result of insensitive social media postings that have come in the weeks since the Oct. 7 black Sabbath slaughter that left 1,400 Israelis dead and another 240 held hostage.
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“Your headline written for accuracy,” Rich Ward posted on X during the weekend. “Anti-Zionism has skyrocketed in the wake of the Israel-led genocide in Palestine.”
He was called out on this right away, and his account disappeared. Ward was not at work Monday.
“I can confirm that this matter is currently under investigation, and in the meantime, this individual will not be at the school,” said Malon Edwards, communications manager for the Peel District School Board. “Administrative personnel matters fall within the confidential purview of our human resources department. As such, Peel District School Board cannot comment further publicly on this confidential human resource matter.”
But are Jewish students at the school safe?
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“At PDSB, we are deeply committed to nurturing safe and inclusive spaces where the humanity of all students, staff and communities are centred,” said Edwards. “We are focused on serving students and staff with compassion and care, while upholding their dignity and human rights. As always, the safety and well-being of all students and staff is of paramount importance to us.”
The board also cited an Oct. 17 letter from Director of Education Rashmi Swarup, “reiterating our commitment to address anti-Semitism and Islamophobia at this time.”
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One of the big problems has been the approach of naming both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia at the same time. They are not the same thing and should not be used as a blotter to keep score.
Any intolerance is repugnant. But in recent weeks, it has been the rise of anti-Semitism that has been front and centre.
As Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw has stated, his Hate Crimes Unit has gone from four officers to 20 in response.
Charges under hate crime legislation have been laid and more are expected as police warn offenders may not be arrested at a scene but afterwards — thanks to video surveillance. When you look at the severe anti-Semitic violence in Montreal, you can see how important it is to take things seriously.
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Toronto Police are currently investigating potential hate crimes of a person being held by Ottawa Police. It’s not an easy time for police, who are caught in the middle of a lot of this and are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
But as B’nai Brith’s Michael Mostyn and Friends of Simon Wiesanthal Centre’s Michael Levitt have made clear, all anti-Semitism should be called out and not glossed over.
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There is a major distinction between the criminal element that shoots up a synagogue or school in Montreal or vandalizes and intimidates Jewish businesses in Toronto and someone who shares their opinion on social media.
The self-inflicted cases on social media are troubling because they can take somebody who is law-abiding and in good standing in their community, and see their world turned upside down in an instant because of a posting that was clumsy and done in the heat of the moment.
Do you want every person cancelled permanently, or does it depend on the severity of the matter? My feeling is it should depend on a few things.
It can’t always be a one-size, fits-all solution or punishment. If the person is truly anti-Semitic or racist, there’s no other option than to move on from them.
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If a person is regretful and made an error in judgment, perhaps there can be redemption.
Change or contrition leading to a path to forgiveness can’t be thrown out the window in war or peacetime.
That said, many of the people making these posts know exactly what they are doing? However, sometimes second chances and forgiveness needs to be part of life – even for major mess-ups.
Unless, of course, it’s so hateful there is no turning back.
In many cases — perhaps with education or an apology — a dumb mistake should not always mean the end of someone’s livelihood or status. This is especially true on social media, where anybody and everybody is going to blow it sometime.
Meawnhile, what do you do about a school principal who — besides one controversial tweet — has had a solid career of service to education?
Education minister Stephen Lecce said there is no room in Ontario for activist teachers.
“Parents rightfully expect that their child’s educator does not impose their personal ideological beliefs or political agendas on their students in the classroom,” he said. “I firmly agree, which is why our government passed legislation to ensure school boards deliver what the overwhelming of parents want, which is a focus on academic achievement, including strengthening reading, writing and math skills.”
Time will tell what Peel District School Board decides?
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WARMINGTON: A principal joins those in hot water for anti-Israel postings - Toronto Sun
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