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Jewish families decry 'rampant' antisemitism by California school district in lawsuit

"Antisemitism is on the rise and somehow becoming culturally acceptable," Sam Kasle, a dad who filed the suit, told "Fox & Friends First" host Carley Shimkus. 

Kasle recounted an incident in which his daughter was taught what he describes as "propaganda" by a teacher wearing "Free Palestine" apparel.

Parents of Jewish students are accusing Sequoia Union High School District in Redwood, Calif., of failing to address growing antisemitism by students and staff.

In a vocabulary matching test, students were instructed to define "Palestine" as a country that was formally recognized by the United Nations in 1947, Kasle said. He also claimed the same class included a definition of "Hamas" as a "a political party continuing the fight against Israel."

"When she brought this up to the teacher… he belittled her, made an example of her," Kasle alleged.

The lawsuit also alleges that SUHSD officials and teachers distributed antisemitic materials, made or tolerated anti-Jewish jokes and slurs, and even advised Jewish students to conceal their religious identities to avoid harassment. 

It also alleges a swastika was etched onto the pavement of the Woodside High School’s campus. When district authorities were alerted, they reportedly dismissed the symbol as "spiritual symbol[s] from Japanese Buddhism" rather than acting against the offender.

Kasle, along with other parents, expressed frustration over the district’s lack of response.

"The administration basically circled the wagons over the past year," he said. "And regardless of their formal processes, they really didn’t lift a finger. Their number one responsibility is not to protect themselves or the teachers, but to protect the children."

The Sequoia Union High School District did not respond to a request for comment, Shimkus noted.