Teachers in Oakland, California, are planning a pro-Palestinian "teach in" event, scheduled for Wednesday, December 6, according to documents obtained by Fox News Digital. The event has faced criticism from the Oakland Unified School District's superintendent, Kyla Johnson-Trammell, who warned teachers that the event is not aligned with district educational protocol. In a statement, Johnson-Trammell emphasized the expectation that educators should adhere to principles of education and keep their personal beliefs out of the classroom.

The teach-in curriculum resources, which have been shared with elementary school-age children, include activities such as drawing Zionist leaders and defining massacres. A teacher from Lincoln Elementary School, Jacob Fowler, appeared in a YouTube video promoting the event and encouraging teachers across the district to participate. Fowler argued that a teach-in is an effective use of labor power and a tool to provide students with "counter narratives."

However, the unauthorized teach-in has faced criticism from other teachers who argue that it is not authorized by the official Oakland Education Association (OEA) and is instead backed by a small group called "OEA for Palestine." The OEA faced controversy last month after publishing an anti-Israel statement condemning the "75-year-long illegal military occupation of Palestine."

The curriculum materials provided for the teach-in do not mention the Holocaust by name but instead state that during World War II, many Jewish people were killed and mistreated. It further suggests that Zionists used the Holocaust to justify displacing and killing Palestinians. The materials also claim that Israel is responsible for massacres and portray Zionists as colonizing oppressors, citing Palestinian land theft and referring to 2021 as the "2nd Nabka."

Josh Diamant, a Jewish music teacher at Lincoln Elementary School, strongly disagreed with the teach-in materials, describing them as inappropriate and inaccurate. He expressed concerns about being approached by students and having to clarify his stance on Zionism. Diamant emphasized that the conflict between Israel and Palestine is complex and cannot be reduced to simplistic slogans.

Meanwhile, some educators argue that holding the teach-in is necessary to present the Palestinian perspective and respond to the realities on the ground. Zahra Billoo, executive director for the Council of American Islamic Relations San Francisco Bay Area, stated that it should not be controversial to teach history and current events.

This event comes at a time when education officials, particularly at college campuses, have faced criticism for their handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Many students and educators have organized or participated in pro-Palestinian protests, leading to accusations of antisemitism.

The teach-in event in Oakland has sparked a debate on the appropriate boundaries of classroom discussions and the responsibility of teachers to present balanced perspectives. As the event draws near, tensions are running high, and the impact on students' understanding of the conflict remains to be seen.