NEA statement on action taken by delegates at 2025 Representative Assembly

WASHINGTON — Among many items debated at NEA’s 2025 Representative Assembly, delegates voted to forward a recommendation to the NEA Executive Committee that the National Education Association (NEA) not use, endorse, or publicize materials from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) or participate in ADL programs. As was shared with delegates at that time, a vote to support the measure would result in an automatic referral to the NEA Executive Committee for an impact study and further consideration in accordance with NEA rules on sanctions and boycotts.

Although NEA does not have a partnership with the ADL, the NEA Executive Committee will consider the recommendation from delegates in accordance with NEA policy.   

The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Becky Pringle:

“As educators, we are committed to ensuring students of every race, religion or national origin have safe and welcoming spaces to learn and grow. The National Education Association and its members are unequivocally committed to the cause of educating, organizing against, and combating all forms of hate and discrimination, including antisemitism and anti-Palestinian bigotry. This is a fundamental principle we will never abandon.  

“Antisemitism is a very real and urgent problem in this country and throughout the world. It is an insidious hate and cancer. NEA is committed to combating this hate in our classrooms, on our campuses, and in our communities. This commitment was evident at the 2025 Representative Assembly, where NEA hosted a panel about how to combat antisemitism, honored Holocaust survivor and educator Maud Dahme at our annual Human and Civil Rights Awards, and voted to honor Jewish American Heritage Month, among other meaningful events and actions.  

“Although NEA currently does not have a partnership with the Anti-Defamation League, the NEA Executive Committee will consider the recommendation from delegates as outlined by our governing rules. As such, I will convene the NEA Executive Committee to deliberate. In fact, I already have begun outreach to inform that deliberation, by listening and engaging with a wide group of leaders in the Jewish and civil rights communities.

“NEA believes in free speech, academic freedom, and having hard yet honest conversations that can nurture growth and understanding. There is a critical need for us, as educators, to model the type of respectful dialogue and discourse we want to see in the world, in our classrooms, and on our campuses. We will not shy away from difficult or complex issues that affect our members, our students, or our schools, nor will we ever tolerate antisemitism, anti-Palestinian bigotry, or hateful rhetoric or behavior.”

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.