Seattle Public Schools teacher under review after claiming Oct. 7 massacre of women, children was justified

Earlier this week, Accuracy In Media (AIM) showed up with a mobile billboard at Chief Sealth International High School calling out 10th-grade teacher Ian Golash for antisemitic comments. He is also chair of the social studies department and has displayed images of terrorists in his classroom.

Golash, who teaches “Ethnic Studies World History,” came out to talk to the group and during an interview, AIM’s president Adam Guillette asked, “Your post said that the oppressors don't get to choose the form of resistance used against them. You didn't write that?”

Golash replied, “That is true.”

Guillette then asked, “Well, then was what happened to Israel on October 7th justified?” to which Golash answered, “Yes.”

Incredulous, Guillette asked “The rape of women at a music festival was justified?” to which Golash replied despite video evidence live streamed by Hamas, reports from Israel the US, and the UN acknowledging the rapes in addition to testimony from the returned Israeli hostages, “Where's the evidence that there was rape?”

Guillette then asked, “You don't think there was any rape? And Golash again answered, “Where's the evidence that there was rape?”

After being asked if murdering women at the Nova Music Festival was justified Golash answered, “Yes,” adding that “resistance against Israel is justified.”

Seattle Public Schools told KOMO News on Friday in a statement, that they are reviewing Golash’s comments adding, “While our review is in process, we will not comment on personnel matters related to this topic. Creating high-quality and inclusive educational environments for our students is a top priority for SPS. SPS does not tolerate Antisemitic or Islamophobic speech or acts in our schools or offices."

Following previous complaints against Golash, the school’s principal Ray Garcia Morales sent an email to parents in December stating that there have been many "inquiries related to content that may have been covered in one of our classes" and that they were “looking into the situation.” However, no updates have been sent since.

Golash is the school's representative for the Seattle Education Association teachers' union which recently passed a pro-Hamas resolution. His social media also includes imagery affiliated with Antifa and the movement to abolish the police.

In his classroom and the halls of the school, Golash has hung images of Hamas terrorists along with calls to "Free Gaza" and "Long Live Palestine."

Following the Oct 7 attacks on Israel, during which Hamas terrorists massacred, raped, and tortured over 1,200 Israelis and took over 200 hostages, Golash wrote on Facebook, “This is what I understand. Correct me if I'm wrong... With evidence, please...On October 7-9...Hamas didn't behead anyone. Hamas didn't rape anyone.”

“The bodies found charred beyond recognition were made that way either by Israeli tanks, missiles or helicopter gunships... Hamas soldiers were not carrying weapons that could do that kind of damage to human bodies…” Golash said.

“A body looks very different once it's been vaporized by a Hellfire missile or an explosive tank round as opposed to being set on fire with, say gasoline, for example," Golash said, though the origin of his claimed expertise is unknown.

The Seattle Public School teacher also claimed that Israel “…chose to obliterate Israeli civilians, including at least one child, in their efforts to kill Hamas militants.”

He concluded, “I'm just trying to get it straight for myself... I don't know how into the weeds y'all are on this... also, f*ck Hamas, f*ck Israel, I'm a communist.”

Golash led student protesters into the King County Jail and attempted to block news cameras during the 2020 George Floyd riots that rocked the Seattle area.

Golash has multiple arrests in Oregon, including for assault, violating parole, and criminal harassment.

He recently received a 6-figure settlement from the city as part of a $10 million lawsuit by a group of 50 Antifa and BLM activists who rioted during the 2020 “Summer of Love” in the Emerald City, and then crucified police for their response.

Golash also gave a student a failing grade after the pupil said that only women can conceive a child and that only men have penises, on a quiz entitled, “Understanding Gender vs. Sex,” and a complaint filed by a parent alleges that he told a student that being "straight" was offensive when the student completed a "Social Identity Wheel."