Palestinian Student Punished for Gaza Protest, Sues School
A 14-year-old student of Palestinian descent has filed a lawsuit against her Michigan school after claiming she was humiliated by a teacher for sitting during the Pledge of Allegiance.
The case, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), centers on an incident that took place earlier this year when Danielle Khalaf chose not to stand as a personal protest against U.S. support for Israel during the ongoing war in Gaza.
'Go Back to Your Country' Comment Sparked Lawsuit
According to the lawsuit, Danielle remained seated during the pledge over the course of three days in January. On one occasion, her teacher reportedly told her that 'if you don't like it, you should go back to your country,' despite the fact that she is an American citizen.
The complaint also states the teacher called the act of sitting 'disrespectful to soldiers and to America' in front of the class. Danielle said she tried to explain her reasons afterward, but was shut down.
Emotional Impact and Legal Support
The lawsuit claims the incident caused Danielle emotional distress, including nightmares, anxiety, and social strain with classmates. Civil rights groups say the teacher's response violated her First Amendment right to peaceful protest.
The ACLU, along with the Arab American Civil Rights League, is seeking damages on Danielle's behalf, emphasizing that no student should be punished for expressing their views.
Broader Context: War in Gaza and Student Protest
Danielle said her decision to sit during the pledge was tied to her discomfort over the U.S. government's continued support for Israel amid the war in Gaza, which has killed over 56,000 Palestinians since it began in late 2023 following a Hamas attack that left over 1,200 Israelis dead.
'This wasn't about disrespect,' Danielle said at a press event. 'It was about my conscience. What's happening in Palestine deeply affects me.'
School District Responds
The Plymouth-Canton Community Schools district responded by stating it had taken 'appropriate action' but did not specify further. It added that discrimination is not tolerated and all such matters are taken seriously.
Michigan's Arab-American Community
Michigan has one of the , second only to California, with over 300,000 residents of Middle Eastern or North African descent, according to U.S. Census data.
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