A teacher at Washington-Liberty High School in Arlington, Virginia, has received threats amid a controversy surrounding her teaching methods. The incident coincided with articles from conservative news outlets, including The Daily Wire and the New York Post, which accused English teacher Shayma Al-Hanooti of promoting “anti-Israel talking points” in her classes.
On October 1, law enforcement was dispatched to the school after a report that a teacher received a “strong” email threat. Although the police responded, they indicated that the investigation did not suggest a broader threat to the school community. A police spokesperson confirmed that the teacher was targeted via email but emphasized that the situation did not pose a danger to students or staff.
The controversy surrounding Al-Hanooti began after a report from Parents Defending Education, which included emails obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. The report claimed that Al-Hanooti assigned students “one-sided” projects related to the Gaza conflict and expressed views that could be perceived as anti-Semitic. Specific allegations included that she implied Israel was committing genocide and resisted efforts to prevent students from chanting anti-Semitic slogans.
In response to the media coverage, Al-Hanooti reached out to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which called on Arlington Public Schools to provide protection for her. CAIR characterized the accusations against Al-Hanooti as a “smear campaign,” stating that the critical thinking assignment she gave involved analyzing both Israeli and South African arguments in an International Court of Justice context.
The assignment included prompts for students to evaluate the rhetoric of both Israeli and Palestinian representatives, urging them to think critically about complex global issues. CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell condemned the threats against Al-Hanooti and emphasized the importance of fostering an educational environment that encourages critical thought without fear of intimidation.
The situation highlights broader tensions related to discussions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict within educational settings, particularly as the conflict escalates and generates intense public discourse.
