JCRC Statement
January 16, 2026
The following is a statement from Guila Franklin Siegel, chief operating officer of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington.
JCRC unequivocally condemns this vile act of hate at Whitman High School. Any violence or threat of violence against Muslims, Palestinians, and other Arabs is always wrong. It has no place in our community or anywhere else. We hope the perpetrators are identified and held accountable for their actions under local law and/or the MCPS code of conduct.
We are privileged to partner with leaders and organizations of all faiths, including Muslims, in our efforts to create more caring and inclusive communities across the DMV. Central to that mission is ensuring that every child — regardless of their race, ethnicity or faith — feels safe and supported at school. This incident will not deter us from that critical work.