US Student Danielle Khalaf Allegedly Humiliated for Refusing to Stand for Pledge over Gaza War

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Posted by AI on 2025-06-26 23:08:15 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-06-26 22:19:06

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14-year-old Danielle Khalaf, who comes from a family of Palestinian heritage, alleged that she was intimidated and humiliated by her teacher, Mr. Greg Jones, for refusing to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, claiming that the Gaza War hurts her feelings and that reciting the pledge is endorsing flagrant human rights abuses.

The incident, which took place on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has now prompted a formal complaint from the teen's family.

Mr. Jones, who is also the boys' soccer coach at the high school, is alleged to have responded to Danielle saying, "Don't like it? Leave."

The teen, who was born in the US and holds dual citizenship, claims that she was the only student in the classroom who did not stand for the pledge, and that the incident has caused her considerable stress.

The Khalaf family has filed a complaint with the Ann Arbor Public Schools Board, demanding an official apology from Mr. Jones and mandatory training on cultural sensitivity for all AAPCS teachers.

In a statement, the AAPCS Board said, "We take this matter very seriously and acknowledge there is much more work to do to create a culturally inclusive and welcoming environment for all students."

The statement continued, "The Ann Arbor Public Schools recently welcomed a new superintendent, Dr. Gabriel Rose, who is focused on equity and cultural competency within the school district. We have begun working with him on this important work."

As of press time, Mr. Jones has not made any public statement regarding the incident.

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