Jewish teacher's discrimination lawsuit against Portland schools, 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 he faced discrimination from the Portland Association of Teachers (PAT) and Portland Public Schools (PPS) due to his support for Israel.

The case, Doe v. Portland Ass'n of Teachers, includes the following key allegations from the plaintiff, identified as "Doe":

Background

• Doe was born in Israel and considers the State of Israel essential and integral to his Jewish religious faith and ethnic heritage.
• He immigrated to the United States but maintains close ties to Israel and family there.
• During the 2023-24 school year, Doe 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 not to support union political speech. However, PAT remains his exclusive representative under Oregon's Public Employee Collective Bargaining Act (PECBA).

Allegations of Anti-Israel Activity

Curricula

• Doe alleges that PAT collaborates with Oregon Educators for Palestine (OEP) in publishing materials, including a guide titled "Teach Palestine!"
• The guide reportedly encourages teachers to teach anti-Israel views and includes curricula recommendations from pre-K through high school.
• Recommended resources 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. Israel would be a country where rules were mostly fair for Jewish people with White skin." It also encourages making signs with the slogan "Free Palestine."
• "Let's Go to Palestine" — aimed at elementary students, stating: "Palestine is currently under a brutal occupation by Israel. We pray for a truly free Palestine so that the Palestinians can prosper and we can all visit freely."
• "Handala's Return" — which states: "A group of bullies called Zionists wanted our land so they stole it by force and hurt many people."
• A "Know Your Rights!" guide, co-published by PAT and OEP, references collective bargaining agreement provisions that protect teachers teaching what Doe describes as anti-Israel views.

Displays

• With PAT's encouragement, teachers at Doe's school reportedly wore clothing with pro-Palestine messages such as "Free Palestine" and "From the River to the Sea."
• School administration allowed the posting of Palestinian flags, maps of Palestine that eliminate Israel, and other symbols in common spaces including hallways, the library, and shared classrooms.
• Doe alleges the placement was intentional to appear as an expression of the community 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, described as a response to "censorship, discrimination, and harassment" experienced by staff teaching or supporting pro-Palestine views.
• PAT's social media accounts follow OEP, which organizes events and speech activities in support of Palestine and against Israel.
• OEP promoted May 15 as "Nakba Day," calling on educators to wear kufiya, pins, and "From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free" shirts to school or work.
• PAT announced a "students for peace" walkout on March 15, 2024, with a rally at PAT headquarters that included anti-Israel expression.
• PAT endorsed candidates described as vocally anti-Israel and pro-Palestine, including Raschelle Chase-Miller and Jorge Sanchez Bautista, who have promoted anti-Israel messages on social media.
• 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.

This report is based on the Report and Recommendation by Magistrate Judge Jeff Armistead, issued on July 23, 2026.