Flag of Hate in the Hallway? Inside the Brooklyn High School at the Center of a Political Firestorm
A Brooklyn high school is under fire from Jewish educators for refusing to remove a Palestinian flag displayed in its hallway. The controversy has sparked concerns about an intimidating environment for Jewish staff and students, and raises questions about whether the school is violating Department of Education policies on political neutrality.
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Jewish educators and community members in Brooklyn are voicing strong concerns after administrators at Leaders High School in Gravesend refused to remove a Palestinian flag that has been hanging in the school's hallway for months.
Moshe Spern, president of the United Jewish Teachers group, which represents about 250 members, brought the issue to light in communications with school leadership and the media. According to Spern, the full-sized banner has been prominently displayed since at least April 2025, creating what he describes as an intimidating environment for Jewish staff, parents, and students.
“For five months, this flag has been a constant, political presence in this school’s hallways, and it’s impossible to ignore the message it’s sending to the school’s staff and children,” Spern told the New York Post. He emphasized that no one appears to know who initially hung the flag or why it has remained in place despite repeated complaints.
Spern argues that the display violates New York City Department of Education (DOE) regulations, which prohibit political activities on school property to maintain neutrality. In an email to Principal Thomas Mullen, shared with reporters, Spern initially suggested the flag might have been tied to a heritage month observance, urging patience. However, as it persisted, he viewed it as a deliberate political statement.
“Jewish staff, parents and students are very concerned that this is still hanging,” Spern wrote. “My hope is that this flag is taken down, and that neutrality in the conflict in the Middle East is the message at Leaders High School.”
Despite follow-up emails demanding its removal, citing discomfort among Jewish stakeholders, Principal Mullen has not responded, according to Spern. “The flag is clearly a political statement, and you’re making Jewish stakeholders really uncomfortable,” one message stated.
Leaders High School is located at 2630 Benson Avenue in the Gravesend neighborhood of Brooklyn. The school serves a diverse student body, but the flag's presence has drawn widespread criticism online and in Jewish community outlets. Social media posts, including from the group Jews Fight Back, have amplified the story, labeling the flag as a "banner of terror" due to its association with Hamas, the group responsible for the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. These posts have garnered thousands of likes and shares, with users calling for accountability from school leaders.
“When we alerted school and district leadership to a clear violation of political neutrality regulations, they chose to ignore us,” Spern told the Post. “That’s simply unacceptable. How can we trust that similar violations in other schools are not going unchecked?”
In response to the lack of action, Spern is escalating the matter to the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and the DOE. “I am calling on the [United Federation of Teachers] and DOE to remind school leaders and teachers that every stakeholder has the right to attend a school without feeling intimidated or scared,” he said.
Principal Mullen declined to comment when reached by the New York Post. The Department of Education has so far refused to comment.
This episode comes amid broader debates in New York City schools about political expression, especially following the escalation of the Israel-Hamas war. Previous incidents, such as warnings to teachers about political speech during student walkouts related to Gaza in 2023, underscore the DOE's policies on maintaining impartiality in educational settings. Jewish advocacy groups have raised alarms about rising antisemitism in schools, while pro-Palestinian voices have reported suppression of their perspectives.
The United Jewish Teachers group, led by Spern, continues to advocate for Jewish educators in the city's public school system. As the situation unfolds, community members are watching closely for any response from higher authorities.