The Peel District School Board’s Director distributes a Cowardly Response to Palestinian Terror Attacks

Missed opportunity to identify right from wrong

By Igor Stravinsky (Teacher; commentator)

In the wake of the brutal and sadistic terror attacks perpetrated by Hamas (and cheered on by Iran, for whom Hamas is really just a front), the Director of Education at the PDSB had this statement for employees sent out to all by email. It is entitled “A Message from the Director of Education regarding loss of life over this past weekend in the Middle East”

Dear Staff,

Our thoughts are with all those impacted and mourning the lives of those killed during the conflict over this past weekend in the Middle East. At Peel District School Board, we are committed to nurturing inclusive and identity-affirming spaces where the diversity and humanity of all students, staff and communities are centred. It is our commitment to uphold the human rights of all that we serve. We recognize that as Jewish, Israeli, and Palestinian students and staff contend with this loss of lives, these communities will need our support and understanding. Students and staff arriving at school tomorrow across Peel, having witnessed this violence unfold in the news, should be met with compassion and care.

We understand these events may cause a variety of reactions, emotions and responses among staff, students, and families. It is important to be aware that staff and students may express their feelings in a variety of ways. To support staff in responding to questions and/or engaging in dialogue with students, we are providing resources for schools to ensure safe, inclusive learning and working environments.

The following are resources to support the well-being of students, staff and families: Guide to Mental Health Supports and Community Resources

At Peel District School Board, we are committed to supporting the well-being and achievement of all students. We will continue to prioritize the mental health and well-being of all those we serve in PDSB. 

Warm Regards,

While even the ultra-woke Toronto Star has no trouble calling the horrendous, despicable rape and murder of civilians a “Hamas Terror Attack”, it seems the PDSB cannot break free, no matter how shocking and appalling the circumstances, from its ideological prison- seeing the world as a collection of identity groups, some of which are oppressors and some of which are victims.

The Palestinians fall clearly into the latter category, from the board’s perspective, while the Israelis belong to the former. This black and white conception of the world and any conflict that arises anywhere, anytime in it, means that the board simply cannot accept that in this case Hamas is clearly and horribly in the wrong. 

Admitting that would of course not abrogate, in any way, the many legitimate grievances the Palestinian people hold against the government of Israel. This bitter conflict has dragged on, to the misery of everyday people of the region, for decades, with plenty of fault to be found on both sides. 

But the government of Canada, along with about every other democratic country, has clearly branded Hamas a terrorist organization, and if there were ever a textbook example of a terrorist action, this latest Hamas attack surely has to be one for the ages, the gruesome details of which have been confirmed and are on display on the internet for all to see (to their disgust and horror).

This is surely a teachable moment for Director Swarup, but once again she has utterly and completely failed to seize the opportunity to identify right and wrong when it is right in front of her face. This appalling lack of leadership should result in her immediate dismissal. 

But it won’t, because the PDSB has doubled down time and time again on its Critical Theory-inspired world view of the oppressor/victim narrative. Nothing an “oppressed” group does can ever be morally wrong. No matter how repugnant, actions of “the oppressed” are always justified, whether that be rioting in the streets of the USA, killing scores of people and trashing businesses to the tune of hundreds of millions in damages, or burning down dozens of churches across Canada. It seems raping and murdering Jews is also acceptable to Swarup and the PDSB. 

To say “shame on them” would be the understatement of all time.

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Thanks for reading. For more on this topic, read - Canadian trustee supports terrorist atrocities

Also, for more evidence of the ideological indoctrination in Canadian education, read Yes, schools are indoctrinating kids! And also, What age should kids learn about "felching?"

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