A Sign Of Things To Come?,Editorial Board

The report in the New York Post that burkha-clad Dhabah Almontaser (dubbed "Debbie" by the media), principal of the Khalil Gibran Academy - the soon-to-be-opened Arabic-themed public school - sees no problem with students wearing T-shirts with the imprint "Intifada NYC" confirmed the concerns many of us expressed when plans for the controversial school were announced earlier this year by Schools Chancellor Joel Klein.

Unfortunately, despite this very clear signal that navigation of the fine line needed for the operation of this public school cannot be entrusted to "Debbie," the chancellor said he sees no issue raised here.

As the Post reported, an organization called Arab Women Active in Art and Media has taken to hawking the "Intifada NYC" shirts. As it turns out, the group shares office space with the Saba Association of American Yemenis and "Debbie" sits on Saba's board and serves as a spokesperson.

Other sources claim to have uncovered a more direct link between "Debbie" and AWAAM, through interrelated organizations. This is all fruit for further investigation by the chancellor. What concerns us even more than her possible connection to the T-shirts is the attitude she brings to the table.

Asked about the shirts, "Debbie" had this to say:

The word [intifada] basically means "shaking off." That is the root word if you look it up in Arabic I understand it is developing a negative connotation due to the uprising in the Palestinian-Israeli areas. I don't believe the intention is to have any of that kind of [violence] in New York City.

I think its pretty much an opportunity for girls to express that they are part of New York City societyand shaking off oppression.

Putting aside what she may have had in mind regarding "oppression" here in New York, "Debbie" reacted to the negative reaction to her comments about the meaning of "intifada" by offering the following clarification:

The word "intifada" is completely inappropriate as a T-shirt slogan. I regret suggesting otherwise. By minimizing the word's historical associations, I implied that I condone violence and threats of violence. That view is anathema to me."

As the Post succinctly put it, either "Debbie" "is a fool or she thinks New Yorkers are morons." Actually, we suspect "Debbie" brings to her new assignment a certain mindset that is not all that remarkable given the context of her training and world outlook. This episode says as much about the ill-conceived project of having a public school dedicated to teaching Arab culture with courses taught in Arabic as it says about Ms. Almontaser personally.

Can we ignore the sad experience on the college and university level where departments dedicated to Arabic studies and culture over time morphed into hotbeds of anti-West radicalism?

Significantly, some early supporters of the Khalil Gibran School have undergone an epiphany. Jeff Wiesenfeld, a member of the board of the City University of New York, perhaps put it best: "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."

Read Comments (3)

A Sign Of Things To Come? , Editorial Board

Anti Arab Ranting Againg
Date 05:08, 08-10, 07

What else could we expect from the Jewish Press but more Arab bashing. So the city decides that it is important to open its first ever Arab language and culture school, that is not even about religion. After all the city has dozens of Hebrew schools, which are about religion.
The problem of course is that the Jewish community likes to think that NYC is their city. After all it has a Jewish Mayor, and New York State has a Jewish governor, and of course lets not forget our representatives and senators. Talk about over representation! So any group, specially one that they have a land dispute with, that makes inroads is seen as a threat. Even the now obsolete ADL jumped into the fray, throwing around the word "Terrorist" like it was grass seed. If they don't find a "terrorist" under every arab rock, they can't find peace.
I think its about time the "unchosen" people were heard from. The city should open an Arabic academy and learn about the culture of the people who preseved Aristotle, and gave us modern mathematics. A people who America has never had any problems with untill the European "Chosen People" decided they have a "birth right" to someone elses land and dragged America into their wars.
I would encourage the Jewish Press to get out of their Warsaw ghetto mindset and at least try to be objective. The Arabs have just as much a right to a school as Hebrew students do, if not more so because it is not religiously affiliated (thus not violating separation of church and state, like the Yeshivas). Oh and by the way, the Intifada was an uprising against brutal Israeli occupation lasting more than 30 years. It is not different than the Jewish uprisings against Rome that were brutally suppressed. And the Intifada doesn't even come close to the Zionist terrorist activities prior to independence against the English. I have yet to see a Palestinian Intifada King David Hotel operation. Hell it got Israel its independence, so terrorism is good when the Jews do it. Its bad when they are the victims of it.

Is it time for a Jewish theme school?
Date 09:08, 08-11, 07

If the arab theme school involves the use of public monies they should also have other religions involved.

We Jews are the fools for tolerating our own Jews to destroy us without demonstating against them.
Date 10:08, 08-12, 07

Unfortunately, we, Jews, have been tolerant too long. Not only is a Jewish chancellor and Mayor approving of a school in a city that is composed mostly of Jews and Christians in order to teach radical Islam (do we know what they will teach?) but we do not complain to our elected officials. Like dopes, we vote for them each time as they forget all of the Jewish issues that are important to us.

In schools of the past, all languages were offered. French, German, Spanish, Italian etc. Why is a school allowed just for Arabic language? If you believe that only language will be taught, then you might as well buy the Brooklyn Bridge. Mayor Bloomberg will sell it to you!

We only get what we deserve if we do not fight against it. One would think that we Jews would be smarter by now, but, Cong. Weiner, Cong. Nadler and the above Jews are really not Jewish but just want the Jewish vote. They are also against Christians so best we all stick together since Madrassa teachings are against us both.

G.d Help us that forget. We once said, Never Again and we are helping those that want to destroy us.

Dorothy Wachsstock