Gabrielle Apisa '27
Robert Rossicone, a former eighth grade history teacher at PS/IS 104, was recently forced to move schools for his rousing presence on social media. His regards concerning Hamas' October 7th attack on Israel, blew up tremendously. Rossicone shared to his Instagram, “Let Gaza burn, there are no innocents…” and in response to a videographed Hamas attack, commented, “Look at these ANIMALS. And the people who support this, or call for a ceasefire, are dogs as well.”
After his posts received an abundance of backlash from pro-Palestinian activists, including those of the Stop Arab Hate group, he was formally relocated from PS/IS 104.
This elementary-middle school located in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn is known to have the highest Palestinian-American population in New York State. Bay Ridge itself houses over 7,700 people of Arab descent.
With concern for the students who spent time in his classroom on a day to day basis, the Stop Arab Hate operation reposted Rossicones comments on November 25th. “Robert Rossicone is a @NYCSchools educator at PS/IS 104 Brooklyn, where he teaches social studies to children…He believes people calling for ceasefire are ‘dogs’, and describes women in the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] as a ‘72 virgins dating service’.”
In direct response to his posts, several complaints were made to the NYC Department of Education in urgence for this matter to be addressed. According to the New York Post, Senator Andrew Gounardes and NYC Councilman Justin Brannan of Bay Ridge District 43, released a statement: “In New York’s largest Palestinian community, a teacher publicly demonized Palestinians, called for Gaza to burn, and labeled those calling for a ceasefire (like me) dogs. However you feel about the conflict, these words are destructive and deeply harmful especially coming from a teacher…Hate does not belong here, but Palestinians in Bay Ridge do. 'They’ are part of the ‘we’ that shares this community… Anti-Palestinian bigotry will not be tolerated here. Anti-Semitism will not be tolerated here.”
Similarly, as word got around of a mid-day walk out on Thursday, November 30 by students of the Fort Hamilton High School, administration of PS/IS 104 responded immediately. On Tuesday, November 28, a letter was sent out to the students and parents of 104. Principal Suzanne Gordon explicitly wrote, “We have also been made aware that there have been calls for student protests in front of the school on Thursday. We are collaborating with the NYPD School Safety Division and our Superintendent’s Office ensure a safe and orderly learning environment for all students and staff…While students and staff have First Amendment speech and assembly rights, they are also always required to follow applicable New York City Public Schools’ rules and policies, including the Citywide Behavioral Expectations and Chancellor’s Regulations.”
With all safety regulations intact, a walk-out was, in fact, led by many pro-Palestinian students of the Fort Hamilton High School. Marching throughout the streets of Bay Ridge, these students demanded that Rossicone be officially taken out of the New York City Public School System.
As of November 29, a petition started by Sherwet Mohamed collected over 4,000 signatures in favor of removing Robert Rossicone from his former position. On the petition, Mohamed wrote, “He has called anyone who supports a ceasefire dogs and to ‘Let Gaza Burn. There are no innocents if this is what is allowed to continue. Never again. By ANY means necessary.’...His Racism and Bigotry is not welcomed in our community. Suzanne Gordon, principal of the Bay Ridge school, has ignored the situation on multiple accounts, meanwhile our student’s safety is at risk.”
Eventually, the DOE reassigned Robert Rossicone and has yet to reveal where he currently teaches. Many still show distress over the welfare of children in his learning environment. Members of the community, like the Stop Arab Hate group posted on X, wonder, “Should Arab or Muslim children feel safe in his classroom?”
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