A New York City public school teacher is under investigation after reportedly expressing support for Yahya Al-Sinwar, the leader of Hamas, following the terrorist group’s attacks on October 7, 2023. Damien Neva, a teacher at PS 77 in Park Slope, Brooklyn, returned to his classroom on Monday while covering his face, as parents and community members voiced strong opposition to his continued presence in the school.
Neva, 48, previously a fashion photographer, allegedly praised Al-Sinwar in a November 2024 group chat, according to a lawsuit filed by the Park Slope Food Coop, where Neva is also reported to have led efforts to boycott Israeli goods. The message cited in the suit reads, “Long live Yahya Al-Sinwar,” a statement that has ignited outrage among parents and local officials.
Several parents expressed concern over Neva’s comments, saying they do not believe someone who endorses a figure linked to terrorism should be entrusted with working in a public school. “If he’s still teaching here, it’s disgusting,” said one fifth-grade father. “No one who praises terrorists deserves to be a teacher.” Another grandmother conveyed similar views, stating that while she supports Palestinian statehood, she saw Al-Sinwar as a terrorist responsible for killings unrelated to political goals, and said Neva’s presence in the school was unacceptable. “They should fire him,” she added, expressing surprise that the city had not taken action.
State Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz condemned the remarks, calling them “appalling,” and emphasized Hamas’s record of violence, including deaths of American citizens. “I don’t think someone like that should be teaching our kids,” Dinowitz said.
Karen Feldman, a New York City teacher and founder of The NYC Public School Alliance, framed the issue as broader than a single incident or individual. She argued the situation reflects on the professional standards and safety obligations of the city’s public school system. “Our classrooms should be safe places for all children,” Feldman said, underscoring the need for the Department of Education to intervene.
A recent report by United Jewish Teachers documented over 250 antisemitic and anti-Israeli incidents within New York City public schools since the October 2023 attacks. The report highlighted a climate of tension that has affected students directly. One parent, Deborah Uri, recounted withdrawing her son from Townsend Harris High School in Queens after he experienced social isolation and hostility following the attacks. “After Oct. 7, things changed at the school,” she said. “My son instantly lost his close friends. They would no longer touch or talk to Jews. Administration just kind of went silent.”
The New York City Department of Education has not publicly responded to requests for comment regarding Neva’s situation as of this writing. The controversy adds to ongoing conversations about addressing antisemitism and maintaining safety and inclusivity within the city’s public schools.