Posted on 08/07/2007 3:00:27 PM PDT by Baladas
The principal of an Arabic-language public school due to open next month is under fire for taking what several Jewish groups are condemning as a soft stance on the violent Palestinian Arab uprising known as the intifada. The principal, Debbie Almontaser, was quoted yesterday interpreting T-shirts that say "Intifada NYC" as not an endorsement of violence but rather "an opportunity for girls to express that they are part of New York City society ... and shaking off oppression." She followed the word's literal Arabic meaning, which is "struggle" or "uprising."
In a statement late yesterday afternoon, Ms. Almontaser backed away from her comments, reported by the New York Post, saying she regretted suggesting the T-shirt slogan was appropriate. "By minimizing the word's historical associations I implied that I condone violence and threats of violence," she said. "That view is anathema to me and the very opposite of my life's work."
Ms. Almontaser has previously led inter-group tolerance lessons for city schoolchildren, and her supporters say her school, the Khalil Gibran International Academy, will bridge differences by teaching a diverse group of students the Arabic language alongside a traditional college preparatory curriculum.
Among the critics to emerge before she released her statement yesterday were several groups that had extended close support to the school, set to open in Brooklyn this September.
"I feel like a fool. I think Abe Foxman should feel like a fool. And certainly Joel Klein if he sponsors it will be a fool," a CUNY board member who had decided to support the school, Jeffrey Wiesenfeld, said
(Excerpt) Read more at nysun.com ...
If we work hard and keep our eye on the target we can destroy our own country.
Debbie Almontaser, was quoted yesterday interpreting T-shirts that say “Intifada NYC” as not an endorsement of violence but rather “an opportunity for girls to express that they are part of New York City society .....IF (underlined) I said “Kill all Muslims before they kill us,” would I be granted the same misunderstanding? I only meant they are part of Philly society. HMMMMMM?
The “Intifada” Comes To New York City
The American Thinker | 8/7/07 | Steven M. Warshawsky
Posted on 08/07/2007 1:45:29 PM PDT by RepublicanPatriot
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1877780/posts
It’s disgusting to ask the US taxpayers to pay for this school, and it’s totally hypocritical to let them DO Islam at this school when Christian kids can barely wear crosses and pray quietly without being strung up by the ACLU.
I cannot see how this is being allowed.
“By minimizing the word’s historical associations I implied that I condone violence and threats of violence,” she said. “That view is anathema to me and the very opposite of my life’s work.”
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Lying to the infidels is OK.
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It is all part of the Marxist movement to destroy America. That is why it is being tolerated.
Why can’t people see that our government schools K-12 and our universities are on a campaign to destroy America?
Where are Rush and Sean on this?
In my opinion the **biggest** threat to our nation are our schools! It is more of a threat than any other single issue without exception.
It is time that we completely defund government subsidy of education on the K-12 and university levels. We need to do this immediately before it is too late.
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