What’s happening

The Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) is taking measures to address concerns over links to anti-Israel materials reportedly circulating within their network. These actions come after the union faced allegations of spreading antisemitism, spotlighted in a recent investigation and public hearing.

The crux of the issue

Max Page, the president of the MTA, was questioned regarding educational resources that included questionable imagery and messages against Israel, such as a manipulated dollar bill featuring the Star of David and assertive slogans promoting violence as a solution to conflicts in the region.

Gov. Maura Healey’s response

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has been vocal about the issue, stressing that such antisemitic imagery was unacceptable and expressing relief at the MTA’s decision to remove these links from access. She emphasized the necessity of constructive dialogue balanced with educational accuracy moving forward.

Union’s stance

The leadership, including Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy, publicly denounced all forms of discrimination and repeated their dedication to fostering an inclusive educational environment. They highlighted the balance of resources available, which includes reputable sources like the Anti-Defamation League and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Removing harmful content

The outcry led to assurances from the MTA that materials perceived as promoting hatred will be removed. However, Page clarified that the problematic elements were not directly on the MTA’s website but were accessible via external links, which they are now working to manage.

Next steps

The ADL praised the actions taken so far, but advised the MTA to further scrutinize their educational materials for biases and transparency. This step is seen as crucial in mending confidence between educators, students, and the broader community regarding historically sensitive subjects. In doing so, the MTA aims to cultivate understanding and meaningful dialogue on complex international matters.

This story was first published on foxnews.com.