Student Suspended for “Free Palestine” Remarks at Corona Del Mar School
By: Fatmeh Aieh Bakhit | Alenteshar Al arabi Newspaper
Newport Beach, CA – Controversy has erupted at Corona Del Mar Middle and High School following the suspension of a student for remarks made to another student, including the phrase “Free Palestine.” School officials and social media posts have brought this incident to light, stirring a complex debate about free speech and student conduct.
Annette Franco, spokesperson for Newport-Mesa Unified School District, confirmed the suspension but withheld specific details, citing student privacy. In an email to the Times, she stressed that the district respects students’ freedom of speech but has a firm stance against hate speech that could incite negative behavior.
The recent incident occurs in a tense backdrop. Just a month prior, swastikas were found on a Jewish student’s locker, classified as a potential hate crime. This was amid heightened tensions following a brutal attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel, leading to a conflict resulting in significant casualties on both sides.
Details about the suspended student’s situation have been limited. Attempts to reach the family for comment were unsuccessful. However, an Instagram post by a woman claiming to be the student’s aunt, identified as Zeina, included a photo of the suspension letter issued by Jacob Haley, the school principal.
The suspension letter accuses the student of violating education codes concerning harassment and threats. It specifically cites the student’s statement, “Free Palestine,” directed towards a female classmate, as the precipitating factor for the suspension.
The Times, respecting the student’s minor status, has not disclosed his identity. He received a three-day suspension. Zeina’s Instagram post alleges that the 13-year-old boy was responding to being called a “terrorist” by the girl, leading him to repeatedly say “Free Palestine.”
Zeina also highlighted past incidents of alleged harassment her nephew faced, including derogatory remarks by two Israeli students. These students reportedly were not suspended after the incident was reported. Additionally, Zeina accused the school principal of bias, referencing a book about Israel on his desk.
The school district’s spokeswoman, Franco, did not comment on the suspension of the students involved in the earlier incident. The case continues to evoke discussions about the boundaries of free speech, the handling of student conflicts, and the role of schools in navigating politically charged issues.
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