An Illinois-based STEM school is experiencing an alarming level of anti-Israel activity among students and faculty, communication records provided to The Federalist show.
Obtained via open-records request by Parents Defending Education (PDE), the emails in question document numerous instances of antagonism toward Israel by Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) staff and students. Much of the rhetoric and activities mirror growing antisemitism at other U.S. academic institutions.
On Oct. 15, 2023, for example, IMSA President Evan Glazer sent an email to staff in which he expressed concern about Hamas’ Oct.7 attack on Israel that left more than 1,200 civilians dead. While the message was largely devoted to school-related matters, Glazer wrote in the final paragraph that he “can’t help but struggle over the reports out of Israel with the impact on citizens and children” and encouraged faculty members to reach out to friends and family who may be affected by the tragedy.
“When I lived in New York, we were good friends with an Israeli family, so I texted them and was relieved their family hadn’t been harmed,” Glazer wrote. “If we have any Israeli or Palestinian families, let’s find a way to check in on them.”
In a response sent later that day, one staff member — whose name is redacted — complained there “isn’t much coverage of the effect the war has had on the Palestinian people” and claimed “there has been as much if not more death and devastation” in Gaza, a popular talking point inspired by
