CAIR-Philly Removes 'Jewish Political Power' Workshop Amid Accusations of Antisemitism

Philadelphia, PA – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)-Philadelphia has quietly removed a controversial workshop titled "American Jews and Political Power: Myth or Reality" from its online educator resources page. The removal follows significant public scrutiny and concerns raised about the workshop's content and its potential to promote antisemitic tropes, particularly given CAIR-Philly's stated partnerships with local school districts.

The workshop, presented by Jacob Bender, a former executive director of CAIR-Philadelphia, was described as examining "the controversial topic of Jewish political power in the U.S. in a fair and balanced manner." It aimed to discuss key Jewish organizations such as ADL, AIPAC, ACJ, and JCRC, alongside debates within the Jewish establishment regarding Israel's actions and support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) campaign. Bender had previously drawn criticism for describing the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel as merely "the first day of the Gaza war."

The inclusion of such a workshop in resources intended for educators, particularly in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, sparked widespread alarm. Critics argued that the premise of the workshop echoed historical antisemitic conspiracy theories concerning Jewish influence and control. Social media discussions highlighted concerns that the program could lead to the indoctrination of students with biased perspectives.

CAIR, both at its national and local levels, has faced scrutiny over its past statements and alleged ties to extremist groups. The organization's national executive director, Nihad Awad, praised the October 7 attacks, stating he was "happy to see" Palestinians "breaking the siege." Furthermore, CAIR was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in a 2007 terrorism financing trial, and Senator Tom Cotton recently called for an IRS investigation into its tax-exempt status due to alleged "deep ties to terrorist organizations."

The quiet removal of the workshop by CAIR-Philadelphia suggests an acknowledgment of the intense backlash and the sensitive nature of the topic. While CAIR-Philly aims to foster "inclusive" school environments, the controversy surrounding this specific offering underscores ongoing tensions and differing interpretations of educational content, particularly concerning complex geopolitical and identity issues. The incident raises questions about vetting processes for external educational partners within school systems.