Another local teachers union is demanding the Massachusetts Teachers Association rescind an “inflammatory” resolution calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.
The Bedford Education Association disassociated itself from the resolution this week, following the same action as the Newton Teachers Association whose president referred to the MTA statement as “antisemitic dog-whistling.”
“The Bedford Education Association rejects the presumption that it is within the scope of our state and local associations’ mission to take a position on geopolitical affairs,” part of the BEA motion states. “Furthermore, the BEA rejects anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and all other expressions of religious and cultural intolerance.”
Hyperlocal The Bedford Citizen first reported the resolution on Thursday, highlighting how some “Jewish residents contacted officers of the Bedford association and requested that they repudiate the statement, which they felt was one-sided, inflammatory, and without context.”
Those sentiments have been felt by Jewish groups across the region since the MTA Board of Directors approved the following motion:
“The MTA will join in solidarity with the UAW, CTU, and other labor unions across the country, in calling for an immediate and permanent cease-fire. The MTA President and Vice President will urge the president of the NEA to pressure President Biden to stop funding and sending weapons in support of the Netanyahu government’s genocidal war on the Palestinian people in Gaza.”
BEA joins the Newton Teachers Association, Anti-Defamation League and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston in condemning the statement.
While the BEA resolution does not specifically mention the Israel-Hamas war, Gaza or Palestine, it does indicate the date, Dec. 9, when the MTA Board of Directors approved its motion.
“Accordingly, the BEA reaffirms the Bedford Public Schools’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to educating our richly diverse student body,” the resolution reads. “Finally, the BEA reaffirms our steadfast commitment to being advocates for quality public education in an environment in which lifelong learning, critical thinking, and responsible engagement in a complex, pluralistic, interconnected society flourish.”
“For these reasons, in dissociating itself from the motions approved on Dec. 9 by the MTA Board of Directors,” it continues, “the Bedford Education Association calls upon the board to retract its statement immediately.”
The MTA Executive Committee in November voted to join other labor unions by signing a petition calling for a cease-fire and a return of the Israeli hostages, while condemning any hate crimes against Muslims, Jews, or anyone else.
Other Massachusetts groups that have signed the petition include the Boston Teachers Union, Amherst Pelham Education Association, Malden Education Association and the Melrose Education Association.
“The Massachusetts Teachers Association abhors the atrocities and terrible loss of life occurring in the war between Israel and Hamas, beginning with the horrific attack of Oct. 7,” MTA President Max Page and MTA Vice President Deb McCarthy said in a joint statement last week.
“Our Board of Directors voted to support our members and students by promoting education about this difficult history and the present situation, as well as to call on the National Education Association to support a cease-fire, which it has now done,” they added.
In an email to the Bedford Citizen, State Rep. Kenneth Gordon, D-Bedford, wrote that he believes the “MTA statement served only to divide our teachers, our students, and our community.”
“I am glad that here in Bedford, our teachers speak through representatives who are steadfast in their primary concern of providing a welcoming environment for students to learn and teachers to teach,” he said.
