By Ava Nicols
Editor-in-Chief
and Marley Brennan
Executive Opinion Editor
As a result of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, anti-semitism has become increasingly prominent in the South Bay due to a lack of information on the student level.
With incidents of hateful comments from students at Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS), the need for more comprehensive discussion and education to prevent anti-semitism has proven necessary. Mandatory attendance to the Museum of Tolerance field trip for eighth grade students, as well as accessibility to resources provided by organizations like the Mira Costa Jewish Cultural Club and local temples will allow students to develop informed opinions.
According to the U.N. Council on Foreign Relations, since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2006, members of the group have engaged in various conflicts with the Israeli army. Hamas, according to the BBC, is known for its goal of destroying Israel and is recognized as a terrorist organization by many countries, including the U.K. Israel, as well as Egypt, had maintained a partial blockade on Gaza with the intentions of both isolating Hamas and preventing future attacks.
The two countries have attempted to conduct multiple peace talks between the 1990s and 2010s, most of which resulted in violent outbreaks. After Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, Israel declared war on Hamas. This attack occurred after months of growing tensions characterized by violence at al-Aqsa Mosque, which is a sacred Muslim site in Jerusalem. According to the Washington Post, Hamas’ growing frustration with Israel’s blockade and occupation of disputed territories was also a motivation for the attack.
Because the contentious relationship between Israel and Palestine has incited conflict and hate overseas in the United States, students across the country are experiencing discomfort and prejudice in their own schools, including those in Manhattan Beach.
At Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS), four Jewish students, all young girls, received verbal hate comments from another student on school grounds. According to NBC News, parents of multiple Jewish students at MBMS claim that their children have been targets of political and hateful verbal abuse following Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7. One mother feared for her child’s safety at the school following a comment that was made by a student saying they wanted to “kill all Jews,” per NBC.
While the reports are being investigated, Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD) is unable to release any updates and specific details on the identities of the students. According to MBUSD, “appropriate consequences have been administered.” Instances of hate such as these in the Manhattan Beach community show the urgent need for increased efforts to spread awareness of the adversity Jewish children and families are currently facing, as well as the safety concerns that have arisen in schools. According to senior Marlowe Hutter, anti-semitism has lasting impacts that go beyond personal offense, especially to those that have family on the front-lines of the conflict. It is very important to rely on as unbiased sources as possible and think before saying something potentially insensitive.
Students who are in middle school are old enough to differentiate between prejudice and joking around. There is no excuse for the use of words to hurt peers and target a culture that is a large part of our community.
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