Boston Suburb of Newton Accused of Demonizing Israel in Classroom Materials

By JTA October 24, 2013

A pro-Israel group is calling on public schools in a suburban Boston district to remove “hateful education materials from their curricula.”

Americans for Peace and Tolerance in a newspaper ad campaign claims the Newton schools are using five materials that “demonize Israel and America while glorifying Islam.” They include the books “A Muslim Primer,” “The Arab World Studies Workbook” and several handouts.

JTA calls seeking comment from Newton Mayor Setti Warren and School Committee Chair Matt Hills were not immediately returned.

Americans for Peace and Tolerance, founded in 2008 by Boston activist and David Project founder Charles Jacobs, was a prominent critic of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center.

The center opened despite APT claims that extremists controlled and funded the society. Leaders of several faith communities in Boston accused Jacobs of making false and hurtful charges.

Jacobs also is a frequent critic of the Anti-Defamation League.

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