New York Post columnist Karol Markowicz reacts to the surge in antisemitism across the nation. A New York City councilwoman unloaded on the failure of “modern progressivism” after students at a Queens high school last week reportedly rioted against a Jewish teacher for attending a pro-Israel rally. Republican New York City Councilwoman Vickie Paladino expressed her disgust at the incident, blaming it on a broken education system and years of woke leftist indoctrination. She warned that allowing progressives to gain control over institutions would lead to tragic outcomes, and it seems that those efforts are now bearing fruit.
Chaos erupted at Hillcrest High School in Queens when students planned a protest against a female teacher for attending a pro-Israel rally. After discovering her profile photo on Facebook, which showed her holding a sign in support of Israel, students ran through the hallways with Palestinian flags and chanted in support of Palestinians. Witnesses reported that students organized in chat rooms and planned the riot ahead of time. The NYPD responded to the scene to ensure the safety of students and faculty.
Councilwoman Paladino condemned the students’ actions as terrorism and emphasized the need for consequences. She called for the immediate suspension of faculty involved in the riot, the expulsion of students who participated or promoted it on social media, and an audit of curricula to eradicate ideological poisons such as critical theory and antisemitism. Paladino argued that condemnations and hand-wringing are not enough and urged for major structural changes in the education system.
The unidentified teacher, who has been an educator in New York City for 23 years, expressed shock and fear at the calls to violence against her. She emphasized the importance of school safety for both students and teachers. The school was placed on lockdown for two hours, and the NYPD escorted the teacher safely from the premises.
Mayor Eric Adams also condemned the antisemitic riot, labeling it as “vile.” Social media commenters and Princeton University professor Robert P. George criticized the education system for promoting liberal and “woke” ideologies, suggesting that it played a role in the incident. Democratic City Councilman James Gennaro stated that the NYPD’s counterterrorism bureau is investigating the riot.
Councilwoman Paladino, however, argued that condemnations are not enough and called for concrete action to address the issue of antisemitism in schools. She declared that modern progressivism has failed and that it is time for local leaders to offer real solutions.
In response to the riot, one 18-year-old student was arrested and charged with aggravated harassment after allegedly posting threats against the teacher in a group chat. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability.
As antisemitism continues to rise both in the United States and around the world, incidents like the one at Hillcrest High School serve as a stark reminder of the importance of combating hatred and intolerance. The education system is now facing scrutiny, with demands for structural changes to address the issue of indoctrination and ensure the safety of all students and teachers.
