Parents of Fort Lee students say history lesson ‘sugarcoats’ Hamas

FORT LEE, N.J. (PIX11) -- Parents of students at Fort Lee High School in New Jersey are demanding an investigation into what they claim is a history lesson that went too far.

Several juniors in the 11th-grade social studies class claim that two teachers requested the students hand over their phones before the teachers began their lesson. Parents of students in the class who have seen copies of the 29-page presentation contend it is skewed against Israel and claim it “sugarcoats” Hamas as a “Palestinian political party and armed resistance movement” rather than a terrorist organization it is recognized as by many nations, including the United States.

A Jewish mother of a student in the class told PIX11 that her son felt very uncomfortable during the presentation and didn’t understand why he had to hand over his cellphone beforehand.

Fort Lee School Superintendent Robert Kravitz confirmed to PIX11 News that he is looking into the parents' complaints. In a subsequent email, he wrote, “The Fort Lee School District values a harmonious culture and climate with board-approved policies and procedures that honor our curriculum and diversity. We cannot make any comment at this time as it is a personnel and legal matter that is currently under review.”

The matter is scheduled to be on the agenda at a Board of Education meeting expected to be held early next week.