Jewish teacher bravely returns to NYC school just one week after being forced to hide while pro-Palestine students rampaged through hallways – and tells class she was ‘terrified for her life’ during tearful peace talks
- Last week, a Jewish teacher at a Queens high school hid while 400 students participated in terrifying riots in the hallways
- The teacher returned to school a week later and defended her pro-Israel beliefs to her students in 'raw' conversations
- A Hillcrest High School student said the teacher was “tearful” during the peaceful discussions
Students of the Jewish teacher who was 'terrified for her life' during pro-Palestinian riots at school said she was 'teary-eyed' during peaceful discussions a week later.
Last week, a high school employee in Queens was forced to hide in her classroom as 400 students stormed through the halls, waving Palestinian flags, shouting pro-Palestinian support and jumping around.
Shocking video footage showed the rowdy demonstrations – which were sparked after images emerged of the Jewish teacher attending a pro-Israel rally.
The Hillcrest High School teacher returned to school just a week after the traumatic experience, leaving her fearing for her safety.
Upon her courageous return, the teacher tried to make peace with the high school students by inviting them to ask questions and be open with her answers.
![Jewish teacher bravely returns to NYC school just one week after being forced to hide while pro-Palestine students rampaged through hallways - and tells class she was 'terrified for her life' during tearful peace talks 1 Last week, a Jewish staff member at a Queens high school was forced to hide in her classroom as 400 students stormed through the halls, waving Palestinian flags, shouting pro-Palestinian support and jumping around.](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Jewish-teacher-bravely-returns-to-NYC-school-just-one-week.jpg)
Last week, a Jewish staff member at a Queens high school was forced to hide in her classroom as 400 students stormed through the halls, waving Palestinian flags, shouting pro-Palestinian support and jumping around.
![Jewish teacher bravely returns to NYC school just one week after being forced to hide while pro-Palestine students rampaged through hallways - and tells class she was 'terrified for her life' during tearful peace talks 3 The Hillcrest High School teacher returned to school just a week after the traumatic experience, leaving her fearing for her safety](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Jewish-teacher-bravely-returns-to-NYC-school-just-one-week.jpeg)
The Hillcrest High School teacher returned to school just a week after the traumatic experience, leaving her fearing for her safety
![Jewish teacher bravely returns to NYC school just one week after being forced to hide while pro-Palestine students rampaged through hallways - and tells class she was 'terrified for her life' during tearful peace talks 5 Upon her courageous return, the teacher tried to make peace with the high school students by inviting them to ask questions and be open with her answers.](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1701547685_801_Jewish-teacher-bravely-returns-to-NYC-school-just-one-week.jpeg)
Upon her courageous return, the teacher tried to make peace with the high school students by inviting them to ask questions and be open with her answers.
The peaceful conversations left the unidentified teacher “in tears,” according to a ninth-grade student.
Students asked her if she supported “the genocide of the Palestinians” and she replied that she did not support the violence in Gaza, the ninth-grader said.
She said, “I stand with the people of Israel, but I do not stand with the Israeli government.”
The staff member reportedly spent the entire class defending her pro-Israel beliefs and explaining what her “I support Israel” position meant.
The “raw” conversations prompted students to express their condolences for their teacher, as they could “see and hear the pain in her voice.”
“I appreciate her coming out and coming back to the school. She's very brave to do that, she's very courageous, so you have to hand it to her for that,” the ninth-grader told the school. New York Post.
In a statement to the NY Post, the teacher, who did not want to be identified, revealed that she had worked as an educator in the New York City public school system for 23 years.
Despite her wish to remain anonymous, the school's chancellor, David Banks, mentioned her several times Monday during a news conference at the high school in Jamaica.
During the riots that spiraled out of control, school administrators were forced to lock the teacher in an office to protect her from the chaos.
![Jewish teacher bravely returns to NYC school just one week after being forced to hide while pro-Palestine students rampaged through hallways - and tells class she was 'terrified for her life' during tearful peace talks 7 Despite her wish to remain anonymous, the school's chancellor, David Banks, mentioned her several times during a press conference at the Jamaican high school on Monday](https://nybreaking.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1701547686_22_Jewish-teacher-bravely-returns-to-NYC-school-just-one-week.jpg)
Despite her wish to remain anonymous, the school's chancellor, David Banks, mentioned her several times during a press conference at the Jamaican high school on Monday
Just a week before the terrifying riot in the halls of Hillcrest, students from the same school repeatedly punched a school police officer.
The Queens schoolchildren were arrested and charged following the horrific attacks, New York police confirmed.
They did not reveal how many children were arrested or what disciplinary action they face.
In the harrowing clip, at least three students begin punching the uniformed officer in the head, causing him to duck and try to defend himself.
They pin him against the hallway wall as some continue to punch the officer, who raises his arms to protect his head during the vicious attack.
While another officer tries to get the belligerent schoolchildren off the officer, a gang of other students stand on the side to record the situation that has gotten out of hand.