Israel teachers caught using ‘Black girls’ chat group to discuss Ethiopian students – Middle East Monitor
Israeli teachers from the city of Netivot were caught by their Ethiopian students communicating on a racist WhatsApp group chat called “Black Girls School Trip” while on a three-day field trip.
The students were sitting right behind their teachers on a bus during a school trip on Sunday when they noticed their teachers laughing and texting, and then looked over to find the group conversation.
One of the girls then proceeded to take photos of the conversation and share it with the rest of the class as well as posting a message aimed at the “disgraceful” staff on social media, taking pictures of the messages offensive.
The student wrote: “Good morning to all the teachers of this school. It saddens me as a member of the Ethiopian community to see the level you have sunk to today. We are in our safest place, did you are the exact opposite.”
“Opening a group called ‘Black School Trip’ without even realizing that students were behind you and making fun of your students? I see the photos, and I don’t believe they are from our teachers. You are a real shame, yes me.” I am ashamed that you are our teachers and that you are teaching the next generation.”
OPINION: Israel is a state for some of its citizens only, as the saga of the captive Black soldier shows
״טיל שנטי שח – יר מזעזע ח ח org ב בט בט שנת של של ספ בן ש שש מאח Now צ שלח לשא בן בן pic.twitter.com/BUA05F3NPV
— daniel amram – דניאל עמרם (@danielamram3) March 12, 2023
The Ethiopian community is only 1.6 percent of the Israeli population and Ethiopian-Jewish citizens in Israel suffer from verbal racial abuse in public places.
According to the BBCthe Israeli teachers involved were suspended and apologized.
In response, the principal of the school issued a statement expressing his “shock and devastation at the nasty and extremely offensive comments made by teachers about Ethiopian students who study at the school.”
“The management of the school looks closely at these comments. There is no place for racist comments, and we will not allow them in our school,” he said.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Minister of Education, Yoav Kisch, also criticized the teachers, saying: “The incident will be dealt with strictly with all the tools at our disposal. I am sorry for the distress caused to the students. zero tolerance for these incidents on my head.”
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