An investigation is underway at East Brunswick High School in New Jersey, after several seniors received yearbooks that contained a photo of Muslim students instead of the Jewish Student Union, according to East Brunswick Public Schools Superintendent Victor Valeski. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for accountability within the community.

Superintendent Valeski took to Facebook to address the issue, stating that the Jewish Student Union's photo was replaced by an unrelated picture. Additionally, the names of the Jewish Student Union members were also omitted from the yearbook. Valeski conducted an internal investigation and found a "minimum of gross negligence" in the proof review process before printing.

The incident has been deemed a "blatant anti-Semitic act" by East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen, as the original photograph of Jewish students was replaced with a picture of Muslim students. Mayor Cohen has called on school officials to provide answers regarding how this incident occurred, who is responsible, and how those responsible will be held accountable.

In response to the mounting pressure, the school board has retained private legal counsel to conduct an independent investigation into the matter. The investigation started on Friday, and the completion date for the findings remains unclear.

Expressing apologies on behalf of the East Brunswick Board of Education, Superintendent Valeski acknowledged the pain and anguish caused to the Jewish students and their families. He emphasized that the district does not tolerate bias and that all reported incidents of anti-Semitism are thoroughly investigated.

The Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey has demanded facts and accountability, suspecting that the alterations to the photos and names of Jewish students may have been deliberate and malicious. Charlotte Friedman, president of the school's Jewish Club, spoke at a school board meeting, describing how it feels as if their identity has been symbolically erased.

However, it is important to note that Muslim students have also faced backlash as a result of this incident. A Muslim student, identified as Zain, shared his condolences with the Jewish community and expressed his sympathy for their pain. Zain also shared the Islamophobia he has faced since his face appeared in the misplaced photo, including death threats and calls for deportation.

Another student at the meeting highlighted the differing responses between the Jewish and Muslim communities, questioning when their concerns will be addressed and when they will receive the same level of support.

Superintendent Valeski later posted another apology, acknowledging the pain caused to the Muslim students. He expressed his deep remorse and assured the community that steps are being taken to rectify the situation.

Seniors who received the yearbooks have been asked to return them so that the incorrect page can be replaced. The school district is working with the publisher to reproduce the yearbook page, which will include the actual photo of the Jewish Student Union and the names of its members. Underclassmen will also receive corrected versions of the yearbook.

As the investigation continues, Superintendent Valeski has urged the East Brunswick community to refrain from rushing to judgment until all the facts have been gathered. The community anxiously awaits the outcome of the investigation, hoping for accountability and measures to prevent such incidents in the future.