A Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion teacher at Tilden Middle School in Bethesda, Maryland is currently under investigation for her social media posts regarding the recent Israel-Hamas conflict. Sabrina Khan-Williams, who is also a World Studies teacher and team leader for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, shared posts suggesting that the Hamas attack on Israel was a hoax, according to screenshots obtained by The Daily Wire.
In one of her posts, Khan-Williams claimed that the reported attack by Hamas on October 7th, which resulted in the deaths of over 11,000 people and numerous casualties, did not actually occur. She wrote, “Debunked!! No music festival attack. Babies were not burned. Women were not violated.” These statements not only cast doubt on the severity of the attack but also downplayed the suffering of the victims.
Furthermore, Khan-Williams shared videos from conspiracy theorists and opinion columns from Arab media, including one video depicting Jews as killing Palestinians to harvest their organs for sale. She also suggested that Hamas was not responsible for starting the war against Israel, but rather a tool for the continuation of apartheid by Zionists.
These posts have caused significant distress within the community, especially considering that Bethesda has a substantial Jewish population. Tilden Middle School Principal Sapna Hopkins addressed the issue in a letter to families, expressing that the posts undermine the school’s values of respect and belonging. Hopkins has contacted the appropriate school district departments to initiate an investigation into the matter.
The incident has raised concerns about the teacher’s ability to provide an inclusive and unbiased education, particularly given her role in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. The school community is working towards becoming a No Place for Hate school, and this incident highlights the need for further work in fostering non-discrimination, equity, and cultural proficiency.
While the investigation is ongoing, it is essential to ensure that educators uphold the values of respect and inclusivity, providing students with a safe and unbiased learning environment. The outcome of this investigation will be crucial in determining the appropriate course of action to address the concerns raised by Khan-Williams’ social media posts.
