Mounting Demands For NJEA Editor’s Firing Over Hateful, Anti-Semitic Posts, Critics Blast Union’s Silence
Saturday, October 11, 2025, 11:05 A.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges: Englebrook Independent News,
TRENTON, NJ.- Pressure is intensifying on the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA), the state’s most powerful teachers’ union, to dismiss Ayat Oraby, the editor of its flagship magazine, after a series of reported anti-Semitic and anti-Christian social media posts sparked public outrage and bipartisan condemnation.
Oraby, who began editing the NJEA Review earlier this year, has been accused of using online platforms to praise Hamas fighters as “martyrs,” vilify Jews and Christians, and equate Israel with Nazi Germany, rhetoric that critics call “deeply hateful and incompatible” with her position representing New Jersey educators.
Despite mounting backlash, the NJEA has declined to publicly address the controversy, saying only that it is being handled “through established internal procedures.”
Lawmakers, Leaders, And Teachers Demand Action;
U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Tenafly) led the charge, urging NJEA leadership to “immediately remove” Oraby, citing “violent and hate-filled rhetoric that has no place in our classrooms or in any organization that represents teachers.”
Gottheimer referenced multiple deleted posts, including one describing Egypt’s president as “filthier than the Jews” and others glorifying Hamas members. “Equating Israel to Nazis is not only historically false but overtly antisemitic,” he wrote.
Joining him was Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-Montclair), and Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate, who said an individual with “bigoted, pro-terrorist views” should not be editing material distributed to educators statewide.
Assemblywoman Rosy Bagolie (D–Livingston) echoed their calls, saying, “Hate speech is incompatible with the mission of our teachers and public service as a whole.”
Adding bipartisan weight, Republican Gubernatorial CandidateJack Ciattarelli also condemned Oraby’s rhetoric and demanded her firing. “Someone who traffics in hate and antisemitism has no business leading a publication for our teachers,” Ciattarelli said in a statement posted to social media. “The NJEA’s silence speaks volumes.”
Union Under Fire For ‘Hypocrisy And Evasion’
The NJEA’s muted response has drawn sharp criticism from members and the public alike. Many accuse the union of hypocrisy, pointing out that it routinely preaches tolerance and social justice yet appears reluctant to act when the offender comes from within its own ranks.
“This union is quick to denounce everyone else’s supposed intolerance,” said one longtime NJEA member who requested anonymity. “But when hate speech comes from inside their organization, suddenly it’s an ‘internal matter.’ That double standard is exactly why people don’t trust them anymore.”
The Broader Implications;
Much of Oraby’s controversial content has been deleted, making independent verification difficult. However, public records and media reports indicate a history of inflammatory commentary targeting Jews, Christians, and supporters of Israel.
Legal scholars note that while Oraby’s speech may be protected from government censorship, the NJEA, a private association, has full authority to discipline or terminate an employee who undermines its stated values.
“The NJEA isn’t bound by the same free-speech restrictions as a public employer,” explained Dr. Daniel Rosen, professor of education law at Rutgers University. “If they keep her, that’s a choice, and it says something about what they’re willing to tolerate.”
A Test Of NJEA’s Credibility;
The NJEA, a politically powerful organization that wields enormous influence in Trenton and across local school boards, has long portrayed itself as a champion of inclusion and equity. Critics say this incident exposes that image as hollow.
“For years, the NJEA has claimed the moral high ground,” said Patricia O’Connor, a retired Camden County teacher. “But when it comes to confronting hate within its own leadership, suddenly those values are negotiable.”
As of publication, Oraby remains listed as NJEA Review editor. The union has not indicated when, or if, it will make a decision.
Editor’s Note:
This article draws on verified reporting and public documentation from The New Jersey Globe, News 12 New Jersey, and Shore News Network, as well as official congressional correspondence and public statements from U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Mikie Sherrill, and Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Jack Ciattarelli. All quotations are taken from publicly available sources or prior published statements. Some social media posts cited in those reports have since been deleted and could not be independently reviewed.
The New Jersey Education Association has acknowledged receipt of formal complaints but has not issued a public comment beyond confirming an internal review.
This publication maintains a commitment to factual accuracy, transparency, and holding powerful institutions — including teachers’ unions — accountable to their own professed standards.
