Teachers ERASE Israel – Redraw Maps!

Map showing Gaza Strip and parts of Israel.

Three million teachers received a map erasing Israel from existence—was it reckless oversight or a calculated political act?

Story Snapshot

The NEA sent an Indigenous People’s Day email labeling all of Israel as “Palestine,” sparking fierce backlash.
Jewish organizations and advocacy groups condemned the materials and links reportedly justifying Hamas’s October 7 attack.
The NEA removed the map, issued a public statement, and launched an internal review of its resource vetting process.
This controversy exposes the fragile intersection of educational authority, political activism, and historical accountability.

Largest US Teacher Federation Promotes Map Erasing Israel

The National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers’ union in the United States, sent an email to three million educators for Indigenous People’s Day that included a map labeling all of Israel as “Palestine.” The email also linked to resources allegedly defending or justifying the Hamas attack on Israel that occurred on October 7, 2023. This act triggered immediate outrage from Jewish organizations, advocacy groups, and media outlets, who accused the NEA of anti-Semitism and erasing Jewish identity from the region. The union’s reach amplified the backlash, making this incident a flashpoint in the ongoing debate about educational content and political influence.

Advocacy groups such as the North American Values Institute (NAVI) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) responded swiftly. NAVI called the distribution “inexcusable misconduct,” while the ADL described it as “a shocking act that denies history and reality.” Jewish educators and students expressed deep concern about the impact of such materials, citing both a betrayal of trust and a dangerous precedent for bias and misinformation within educational institutions. The NEA’s initial silence only fueled speculation and anger, prompting demands for transparency and accountability.

How NEA’s Resource Vetting Collapsed

The NEA claimed the map was sourced from Native Land Digital, a third-party project focused on indigenous land claims. However, critics noted that using this map in a Middle Eastern context ignores the region’s complex historical and geopolitical realities. The email’s inclusion of materials allegedly justifying Hamas’s violent actions compounded the controversy, with many arguing that this crossed a line from educational content to political advocacy. The NEA eventually removed the map and related resources, issuing a statement condemning anti-Semitism and promising a thorough review of its resource vetting process.

It is: https://t.co/uSD7EL4X4M

— Teacher Freedom Alliance (@Freedom4Teachrs) October 12, 2025

The timing of the email—sent during Indigenous People’s Day, a holiday often used to reflect on historical injustices—added another layer of complexity. For some, the map’s labeling of Israel as “Palestine” was seen as a misguided attempt to align Middle Eastern geopolitics with indigenous advocacy, ignoring the unique and contested histories of both. The NEA’s decision to retain a version of the map from Native Land Digital, despite its problematic labeling, further complicated its position and drew continued scrutiny.

Stakeholder Power and Pressure Points

NEA leadership now faces intense pressure from multiple fronts. Jewish advocacy organizations demand concrete changes to prevent future incidents, while indigenous rights groups remain focused on broader land recognition issues. The ADL’s decision to sever ties with the NEA underscores the reputational and relational damage caused by the controversy. External advocacy groups and media outlets continue to shape public perception, leveraging their platforms to demand greater educational accountability.

The NEA’s internal review promises changes, but the long-term implications remain uncertain. The union must balance its role as an educational authority with the need for political neutrality and rigorous resource vetting. This incident may prompt other educational organizations to scrutinize their own materials for bias and accuracy, potentially reshaping national conversations about the intersection of indigenous advocacy and Middle Eastern politics within the classroom. The fallout has already influenced partnerships and may affect future policy on controversial topics.

Implications for American Education and Beyond

Short-term, the NEA’s reputation has suffered, especially among Jewish educators and communities who feel betrayed by the union’s actions. Heightened scrutiny of educational materials and resource vetting is now inevitable, with advocacy groups demanding ongoing transparency. The episode has also polarized debate over the role of political content in education, raising questions about the responsibilities of organizations with such broad national influence.

Long-term, this controversy may lead to changes in how external resources are selected and reviewed by the NEA and similar organizations. The tension between advocacy groups and educational institutions will likely persist, as both sides seek to influence content standards and representation. Economic impacts include the loss of partnerships, such as the ADL, and potential reputational costs that could affect membership and support. At a sector level, this incident serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of aligning educational resources with contentious historical or geopolitical narratives.