Newton, Massachusetts teacher hiring sparks controversy

A report from the Middle East Forum has raised concerns regarding the hiring of Maryam Abu-Hasaballah by a school district in Newton, Massachusetts. The town, which has a 20% Jewish population, recently hired the teacher despite her previous academic work containing controversial views.

According to the report, Abu-Hasaballah’s 2025 senior thesis at the University of Connecticut discussed post-October 7 protests but allegedly ignored the atrocities committed by Hamas against Israeli civilians. Instead, her work accused the university of targeting pro-Palestinian protesters due to ties between school officials and Israel.

During a school meeting, Sagit Sade Attia of the Israeli-American Council criticized the hiring, noting that the October 7 attacks were not addressed in Abu-Hasaballah’s writing. Local parents have also expressed opposition, questioning whether a teacher with highly ideological positions can provide an accurate history and social studies education to middle-school students.