WASHINGTON (NEWSnet/AP) — Leaders of three large public school systems on Wednesday denied allegations that they allowed antisemitism to run rampant in their schools.

They told a congressional panel they are fighting antisemitism with education and, when necessary, discipline.

A U.S. House Education and Workforce subcommittee sought testimony from leaders of New York City Public Schools, Berkeley Unified School District in California and Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland.

“Let me be clear — we do not shy away from imposing consequences for hateful behavior, including antisemitism,” said Karla Silvestre, board president of the suburban Maryland school system.

The first of the antisemitism hearings to focus on K-12 education comes amid pro-Palestinian student protests at U.S. universities and some high schools.

In an opening statement, Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., said antisemitism has become a “dominant force” in U.S. schools, with students as young as second-graders “spewing Nazi propaganda.”

“You’ve been accused of doing nothing and turning a blind eye,” Bean said.

Chancellor David Banks from New York questioned whether the panel’s actions has brought schools any closer to address antisemitism.

“This convening, for too many people across America in education, feels like the ultimate ‘gotcha’ moment,” he said. “It doesn’t sound like people who are actually trying to solve for something that I believe we should be doing everything we can to solve for.”

Banks cited initiatives his district has taken, including student suspensions and employee terminations. He also emphasized the role of education, saying the district is building a new curriculum with contribution from the Jewish community.

Each leader acknowledged a rise in antisemitism, but Berkeley Superintendent Enikia Ford Morthel denied it has become “pervasive.” Since the Israel-Hamas war began, her district has received complaints of antisemitism arising from nine incidents within the district’s jurisdiction, she said.

“We take action to teach, correct and redirect our students,” she said. “We do not publish our actions because student information is private and legally protected under federal and state law. As a result, some believe we do nothing. This is not true.”

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