County School Board Member Doubles Down on Bigotry
In a recent interview with AJ+, embattled school board member Abrar Omeish “doubled down” on her anti-Israel screeds, which many have characterized as hateful and needlessly divisive, if not deeply anti-Semitic, in nature. “There is no chance I am resigning,” Omeish told AJ+, which is owned by Al Jazeera and funded by the government of Qatar.
Omeish created a firestorm of controversy by accusing Israel of “apartheid” and “colonization.”
Fairfax GOP Decries Omeish’s Call to Defund School Police
The Fairfax GOP is sounding the alarm that removing school resource officers (SRO’s) would “endanger” students and teachers in the county. “As specially-trained law enforcement professionals, SRO’s serve a critical role in many schools,” said Fairfax GOP Chairman Steve Knotts. “Removing these officers from our schools would endanger both kids and educators.”
While security is their first mission, SRO’s can educate students on a variety of law-related subjects, to include driver safety.
Jewish Organizations Rebuke County School Board Member
Two major Jewish organizations rebuked Abrar Omeish this week, following the embattled school board member’s incendiary anti-Israel rhetoric. On May 13, Omeish wrote that Israel perpetrates “apartheid” and “colonization”; “desecrates the Holy Land” and “kills Palestinians.” To date, Omeish has not retracted her inflammatory words; they can still be viewed on the board member’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.
INTERVIEW: Fairfax GOP Chairman Renews Call for Omeish to Resign
Fairfax GOP Chairman Steve Knotts joined WMAL’s Larry O’Connor Show, to discuss the ongoing controversies surrounding at-large school board member Abrar Omeish. “We’re talking about our kids here, and the people setting the curriculum to teach them,” Knotts said Tuesday on WMAL.
On May 13, Omeish shared anti-Israel comments on social media that have been widely condemned as deeply anti-Semitic or needlessly divisive.
LISTEN: Concerned Parent Calls for Omeish to Resign
Gary Aiken, a Jewish father with kids in Fairfax County Public Schools, joined WMAL’s Mornings on the Mall radio program yesterday, to discuss his concerns about school board member Abrar Omeish’s recent attacks on Israel. “Ms. Omeish, like many 26 year-olds, knows the power of social media. It can promote great things, but it can also destroy,” Aiken noted. “We expect our school board members to set a positive example for our kids.”
VIDEO: School Board Member’s 2019 Arrest
On Monday’s Larry O’Connor Show, the WMAL host played extensive audio clips from school board member Abrar Omeish’s 2019 arrest. Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) shared his thoughts on Omeish’s arrest record, as well as her recent inflammatory comments on Israel that many would consider needlessly divisive, if not deeply anti-Semitic.
Fairfax GOP Blasts “Israel Hater” on County School Board
The Fairfax GOP is blasting the “hateful screeds” of Abrar Omeish — and calling for the school board member’s resignation. “Instead of focusing on core educational issues, Abrar Omeish is busy fomenting hatred and division,” Fairfax GOP Chairman Steve Knotts said today. “Fairfax County deserves better. Omeish should resign or be removed from the school board.”
The chairman’s comments follow Omeish’s assertions that Israel practices “apartheid” and “colonization”