PARK SLOPE— The New York City Department of Education will investigate allegations that a teacher at a Park Slope elementary school made antisemitic comments, including a message praising a Hamas leader, according to a department spokesperson.
The allegations emerged in a lawsuit filed by Jewish members of the Park Slope Food Co-op, who are challenging the co-op's ban on Israeli goods.
The lawsuit identifies the teacher as Damien Neva, a teacher at P.S. 77 in Park Slope.
According to the lawsuit, Neva played a leading role in the boycott effort and posted a message in a Signal group chat reading, "Long live Yahya al-Sinwar."
Yahya Sinwar, who led Hamas in Gaza, helped plan the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and died in October 2024.
"Antisemitism and support for terrorist organizations have absolutely no place in our school system," a Department of Education spokesperson said.
"We are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment for every student and member of our school community."
It remains unclear what disciplinary action, if any, could follow.
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