Antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment are spreading in classrooms

When Damien Egan, the Labour MP for Bristol North East, agreed to give a classroom talk at Bristol Brunel Academy in September, the plan was simple: explain how Parliament works and outline careers in public service. What unfolded instead was a politically charged campaign that forced the school to cancel his visit — and raised urgent questions about political expression, discrimination, and the role of educators.

The cancellation came after pressure from teacher activists and local campaign groups. Supporters of the action framed their campaign as opposition to Israel; critics say it crossed a line and became an exclusionary attack on an elected official because of his identity and political affiliations. The episode has drawn attention from ministers, civil liberties groups, and organizations that monitor anti-Semitism in education.

How the visit unraveled at Bristol Brunel Academy — timeline and tactics

The scheduled careers session for pupils was called off following a focused campaign by activists linked to the National Education Union (NEU) and the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC). Those organizers argued the visit was inappropriate because Egan is Jewish, married to an Israeli, and vice chair of Labour Friends of Israel.

• Activists circulated messages that an MP who supports Israel was “not welcome in our schools.”
• Reports said some staff planned to wear keffiyehs during the visit and prepare classroom materials intended to shape students’ perceptions before the MP could speak.
• School leaders cited “safeguarding concerns” as the reason for the cancellation, though critics call that rationale hollow.

Those opposing the visit presented it as a potential risk to pupils, while opponents of the ban argue the real harm was the school yielding to pressure and singling out an MP because of his faith and personal ties.

Who organized the campaign — NEU, PSC and activist networks

The campaign wasn’t spontaneous. It involved organized groups with recent, high-profile activity opposing Israel since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. The PSC has led sustained demonstrations, and the NEU has been a visible partner at many rallies.

Organizational links and messaging

Critics point to a pattern in which union-backed activism filters into school settings. The NEU, for example, has offered guidance on bringing pro-Palestinian themes into classrooms and mobilizing members. That training and coordination, opponents say, helped create the environment that led to Bristol Brunel Academy’s decision.

Supporters of the activists insist they were exercising legitimate political protest. Detractors insist the tactics crossed into exclusion and demonization of a Jewish MP — not merely disagreement with his politics.

Safeguarding justification and the legal framework for schools

School leaders defended the cancellation by invoking safeguarding. Yet the decision raises legal and ethical questions for educators about balancing pupil welfare with duties to present diverse viewpoints.

• The Education Act 1996 requires schools to offer a “balanced presentation of opposing views.”
• Schools are also bound by guidance on political impartiality and the duty to protect children from discrimination and hate speech.
• When staff use classroom time to advocate one-sided political perspectives, it tests rules designed to keep education neutral and inclusive.

Opponents of the ban argue the school’s action undermined those obligations by removing an opportunity for students to hear from an elected representative simply because activists labeled him controversial.

Patterns of political activism and reported incidents in schools

This episode did not emerge in a vacuum. Over recent years, several incidents have put the spotlight on how pro-Palestinian activism and criticisms of Israel have played out in British schools and teacher networks.

• In 2021, activists vandalized a site connected to the Holocaust while linking the act to Gaza protests; that same period saw anti-Semitic incidents reported in schools.
• Government ministers have repeatedly reminded headteachers of their legal duties after reports of bullying and harassment targeting Jewish pupils and staff.
• Regulatory bodies reviewed individual teachers’ conduct after inflammatory public statements about Hamas; some finds of unacceptable behavior did not always result in professional bans.

Observers who monitor anti-Semitism say this pattern demonstrates the difficulty of distinguishing legitimate political dissent from actions that create a hostile environment for Jewish students and staff.

Official reactions, accountability and what authorities can do

Communities Secretary Steve Reed called the cancellation “an absolute outrage” and promised action to hold those responsible to account. That statement underlines the political sensitivity: ministers want to protect the rights of elected officials and the safety of minority students, while also recognizing the limits on state intervention in schools.

Possible responses and enforcement tools

• Department for Education guidance and oversight to ensure schools comply with requirements on political impartiality and safeguarding.
• Investigations into whether school staff acted in ways that breached professional standards or promoted discriminatory views.
• Public pressure and legal remedies if schools are found to have unlawfully discriminated against an individual because of religion or protected characteristics.

Campaigners for Jewish communities and civil liberties groups are pressing for clear consequences where activism crosses into exclusion or anti-Jewish rhetoric. Those pushing back against the critics maintain their protests are part of a broader political debate over Israel and Palestine — and deny that they targeted Egan for his faith.

What the episode means for schools, politics and public debate

At stake is how schools handle outside political pressures and how they balance protecting pupils with exposing them to differing viewpoints. The Bristol incident illustrates tensions between activist energy and professional responsibilities in education.

Bristol Brunel Academy has scheduled an alternative date for the MP to visit. Whether the school will stand firm or again yield to activist pressure will be closely watched by ministers, unions, and communities concerned about rising polarization in classrooms and public life.

Alex Hearn is director of Labour Against Anti-Semitism.

You might also like:

• NEU antisemitism allegations: what the claims mean for Jewish members
• Classrooms shouldn’t host anti-reform activism
• UK universities face surge in antisemitism allegations
• City University antisemitic attack reported, police investigating
• Schools telling students Reform Party is far-right: why it’s being taught

Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson is a dedicated columnist focusing on political and social debates. With twelve years in editorial writing, he provides nuanced, well‑argued perspectives. His commentaries invite you to form your own views and engage in critical issues.