New Jersey high school slammed for issuing Ramadan letter that refers to the US a 'co-conspirator with Israel' and criticizing 'Zionist genocide in Gaza'

A New Jersey school district faced backlash after an assistant high school principal shared a Ramadan letter criticizing the 'Zionist genocide in Gaza.' 

The flyer was sent by Columbia High School in Maplewood, and was ostensibly informing staff about the logistics of Ramadan - the Muslim holy month of fasting and prayer - and terms to know for students. 

But the letter ended with a scathing paragraph accusing the US of 'co-conspiring' with Israel to stop 'Muslim Palestinians from partaking in Ramadan, as the Israeli Zionist occupation enacts a genocide against them', reports NBC New York. 

After the letter sparked backlash, South Orange & Maplewood Acting Superintendent of School Dr. Kevin Gilbert apologized for the 'deeply problematic and inappropriate' wording. 

The letter coincided with the unrelated arrest of the school's principal, Frank Sanchez, who was charged with assault on Monday after allegedly attacking a student. 

Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey (pictured) has been rocked by the scathing Ramadan letter, which accused the US of 'co-conspiring' with Israel to stop 'Muslim Palestinians from partaking in Ramadan, as the Israeli Zionist occupation enacts a genocide against them' 

After the letter sparked backlash, South Orange & Maplewood Acting Superintendent of School Dr. Kevin Gilbert apologized for the 'deeply problematic and inappropriate' wording

Parents reportedly called on the state to seize control of the school district in response to the letter, which Gilbert claimed hadn't been properly read before it was shared. 

'The document was not reviewed or approved by any district office or personnel, and while the intention of sharing the document was to provide a resource, serious content was overlooked,' he said. 

'This resource contained language that, at any time, would be inflammatory but, particularly now, is deeply problematic and inappropriate for our schools,' he continued. 

'Personally, I am disappointed, angered and saddened by the communication that occurred. 

'The language in the document does not reflect what we believe creates a community that values inclusivity and belonging.' 

The educator said the school district would instead work to find a more appropriate way to teach staff about Ramadan, 'to ensure they meet our standards for respect, inclusivity and belonging.' 

Gilbert added that the assistant principal who sent the letter had accidentally overlooked the final paragraph, and didn't agree with the sentiment. 

The letter coincided with the unrelated arrest of the school's principal, Frank Sanchez, who was charged with assault after allegedly attacking a student. 

The letter coincided with the unrelated arrest of the school's principal, Frank Sanchez (pictured), who was charged with assault after allegedly attacking a student when breaking up a fight last year 

According to NBC New York, students said Sanchez's arrest came from an attempt to break up a fight between other students.

Sanchez surrendered to Essex County prosecutors over the alleged fight on Monday, although the alleged fight came last year. He had reportedly been on administrative leave and has not returned to campus since winter break. 

Gilbert also released a statement on Sanchez' arrest, saying he was 'deeply saddened' by the charges. 

He described it as 'the latest in a series of unexpected events that have happened in our district during this school year.'

'No matter what our feelings may be at this time, our focus must be on meeting the needs of Columbia High School students, their families and staff,' he said. 

'I am working with my administration colleagues to make sure we continue to fulfill our obligations to the people we service.'