In a timely interview, Nirit Friedlander and Robert Mayer of the Israeli American Civic Action Network (ICAN, https://icanaction.org/) discussed their organization’s mission to bolster pro-Israel advocacy and fight antisemitism across American institutions, including schools. Aligning with ICAN’s recent call for political neutrality in classrooms—echoed in their response to San Francisco Unified School District’s policy against teachers displaying pro-Hamas symbols—they emphasized empowering Israeli-Americans and allies to engage at local levels like school boards and city councils.
Friedlander and Mayer highlighted ICAN’s efforts to counter biased curricula that undermine the U.S.-Israel alliance. They pointed to foreign influences, particularly Qatar’s funding of educational programs through entities like the Qatar Foundation International (QFI), which sponsors Arabic language initiatives and seminars in U.S. schools.
These efforts, they argue, promote propaganda by subsidizing teacher salaries and providing slanted materials that foster anti-Israel sentiments. This infiltration extends to unions like the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA), which has hosted webinars riddled with distortions about the Middle East conflict, featuring anti-Israel activists.
Such events, influenced by Qatar-backed resources, push agendas that sideline factual history and amplify bias, affecting thousands of educators and students statewide.
The result? Subterfuge where unions dictate curriculum under the guise of “anti-racism” training, overriding local control by cities and escalating to national policy battles.
As president of the Newton Taxpayers Association, I underscore our opposition to this overreach: Curriculum decisions belong to communities, not unions swayed by foreign funds. ICAN’s advocacy provides tools for parents and taxpayers to reclaim classrooms, ensuring education remains neutral and free from hidden agendas. This interview reveals how grassroots action can dismantle these influences, safeguarding our schools for future generations.
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