The Israeli police arrested Israeli Dr. Meir Baruchin, a civics and history teacher, because of his social media posts that showed sympathy toward  Palestinians.  In one quote that police and a judge regarded as a possible crime he had written, “Today, as well, the bloodbath continues in the West Bank,” He gave the names and ages of the two Palestinians who were killed on October 8, ages 14 and 24.  “They were born under occupation and lived under it their entire lives,” he wrote, adding: “They never knew one day of true freedom. They never will… they were executed this evening by our outstanding boys.”  Police asked a prosecutor for permission to charge him with “incitement”. The prosecutor refused. Then police charged Baruchin with the grave crime of “indicating a decision to commit treason” which can carry a 10-year sentence. Police sent the complaint to the city of Petah Tikva where he worked, and he was fired from his job. His license to teach anywhere in Israel was suspended. His phone and computer were seized. He spent 4 days in solitary. Then after his fifth day of arrest he was released on bail and no indictment was filed. It has to be noted that Dr. Baruchin is a Jew. If he had been Palestinian his treatment would have been worse.

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz warned,  “Make no mistake: Baruchin was used as a political tool to send a political message. The motive for his arrest was deterrence – silencing any criticism or any hint of protest against Israeli policy.” It’s working. In his Democracy Now interview on Nov. 22 Baruchin said he had many, many teachers contact him and express support, but said they feared for their families if they gave him public backing.

The American Federation of Teacher which has given strong support to Israeli government over the years must speak out. It should call for all charges against Baruchin to be dropped, that his license be restored and that he be rehired with back pay. The AFT should also do some soul searching, publicly disclose its investments in Israel bonds and the like  and speak out against Israel’s cruel measures in Gaza, especially its bombing of schools.

Other unions should also express solidarity with Baruchin, not only teacher unions like the National Education Association, but all worker organizations. Protest this injustice.