Jewish teacher's discrimination lawsuit against Portland schools and union recommended for dismissal

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Jewish Teacher Sues Portland Public Schools and Union Over Alleged Anti-Israel Discrimination

Publication date: 2026-07-24 12:01:35

A federal magistrate judge has released a Report and Recommendation detailing allegations from a Jewish teacher who claims his school district and teachers' union fostered a hostile environment based on his faith and heritage.

The case, Doe v. Portland Ass'n of Teachers, was reviewed by Magistrate Judge Jeff Armistead. The plaintiff, identified as "Doe," is an Israeli-born Jewish teacher who alleges discrimination by Portland Public Schools (PPS) and the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT).

Key Allegations from the Report

About the Plaintiff

• Doe was born in Israel and considers the State of Israel essential to his Jewish religious faith.
• He immigrated to the United States but maintains close ties to Israel and family there.
• During the 2023-24 school year, he worked as a high school math teacher for PPS.
• He chose not to become a dues-paying member of PAT, citing his First Amendment right to not support union political speech. PAT remains his exclusive representative under Oregon law.

Curricula

• Doe alleges PAT collaborated with Oregon Educators for Palestine (OEP) to co-publish a guide titled "Teach Palestine!"
• The guide allegedly encourages teachers to promote anti-Israel views in the classroom and includes curricula recommendations from pre-K through high school.
• Recommended resources in the guide include:
• "Teaching While Muslim" — which states, "75 years ago, a lot of decision makers around the world decided to take away Palestinian land to make a country called Israel."
• "Let's Go to Palestine" — which states, "Palestine is currently under a brutal occupation by Israel."
• "Handala's Return" — which states, "A group of bullies called Zionists wanted our land so they stole it by force."
• A separate "Know Your Rights!" guide, co-published by PAT and OEP, allegedly references collective bargaining provisions that protect teachers teaching anti-Israel views.

Displays

• With PAT's encouragement, teachers at Doe's school reportedly wore clothing with pro-Palestine messages, including "Free Palestine" and "From the River to the Sea."
• School administration allegedly allowed the posting of Palestinian flags, maps of Palestine that eliminate Israel, and other symbols in common spaces such as hallways, the library, and shared classrooms.
• Doe claims the placement was "intentional so as to appear to be an expression of the community and school rather than any individual."

Prayer

• A teacher allegedly led an on-campus morning meeting designated as a "prayer circle to support Palestine."

Organizing and Political Activities

• PAT co-published the "Know Your Rights!" guide with OEP, which was developed in response to alleged censorship and harassment of staff supporting pro-Palestine views.
• PAT's social media accounts follow OEP, which organizes events in support of Palestine and against Israel.
• OEP promoted May 15 as "Nakba Day," calling on educators to wear kufiya, pins, and shirts reading "From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free."
• PAT announced a "students for peace" walkout on March 15, 2024, with a rally at PAT headquarters that included anti-Israel expression.
• PAT allegedly endorsed candidates who are vocally anti-Israel and pro-Palestine, including Raschelle Chase-Miller and Jorge Sanchez Bautista.
• On May 28, 2024, PAT held informational sessions for teachers to "learn about your rights to teach and advocate for Palestine within Portland Public Schools."

PAT Member Conduct

• Doe alleges that PAT members and representatives took "coordinated, politically charged actions" while knowing or disregarding the effect on Jewish staff members.