Philadelphia civil servant resigns after allegations of antisemitism and “fostering toxic work environment”
Michael Rashid, the head of Philadelphia’s Commerce Department, has resigned after allegations surfaced of his antisemitic comments and abusive workplace behaviour.
Mr Rashid said in a statement that his “continued service would serve as a distraction from the work of the Department.”
Department staffers had told the Philadelphia Inquirer of, among other incidents, multiple instances when Mr Rashid had discussed the film Schindler’s List, allegedly telling them how he had previously thought the film was “Jewish propaganda” and avoided watching it.
Offensive social media posts by Mr Rashid have also emerged, including one in which the official reportedly quotes Malcolm X as complaining that, while “Jew Town” neighbourhoods had Jewish stores, Black areas did not have equivalent shops. According to PhillyVoice, which first revealed the posts, another post allegedly criticised the portrayal of a “white Jesus” as a “psychological tool” that “subliminally engrains the myth of white superiority into the subconscious minds of people of colour.” .
Commerce Department staffers had also accused Mr Rashid of fostering a toxic work environment and verbally abusing employees, with the result that several allegedly left the agency in protest.
Mr Rashid said he had spoken with leaders of the Jewish community in Philadelphia to apologise for his “previous comments which were inappropriate and insensitive.”
He said he looked forward to “engagement with the community going forward” and said it was important that the Department stayed focused on its “mission of supporting Philadelphia’s business community at this critical time as we continue to recover from the devastating impacts of the pandemic.” Accepting the resignation, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said in a statement that the City was “committed to ensuring a fair and inclusive working environment where the values of respect and dignity are upheld.”
Jewish groups had condemned the revelations about Mr Rashid’s past comments, with the American Jewish Committee asking the Mayor to call for his resignation and urging the Mayor to “take immediate action” and “work with the Jewish community to educate all city offices and city-funded institutions” to make Philadelphia “truly” the “city of brotherly love where pluralism and diversity are respected and honoured.”
Michael Balaban, President of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, also condemned the revelations in a statement, saying that, “if there is no room in our City for antisemitism,” then Mr Rashid should be removed from office immediately.
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