NEU antisemitism allegations: what the claims mean for Jewish members

Britain’s biggest teaching union is facing a storm of criticism over its response to the Gaza war, with Jewish members and former members saying the organisation has become overtly hostile to Israel and, by extension, to Jewish staff and pupils. Recent resignations, public heckling at union events and a high-profile internal inquiry have pushed accusations of anti‑Semitism from long-standing complaints onto the front pages.

For years Jewish teachers have reported feeling undermined or unprotected within the National Education Union (NEU). But the debate has intensified since October 2023, when tensions over the Israel‑Hamas war spilled into classrooms, union meetings and local campaigns — turning what was once private grievance into a national controversy.

Resignations, heckling and rising alarm among Jewish educators

Former and current NEU members say a pattern of incidents shows more than mere political disagreement. Examples cited by critics include:

• In 2021, a group of around 25 teachers from a major London Jewish school left the union after leaders were photographed at rallies calling for the abolition of Israel.
• At a recent annual conference, retired teacher Peter Block says he was heckled off the stage after challenging a motion that blamed Israel for the Gaza conflict.
• A long‑time NEU branch representative in London resigned after 19 years, describing the leadership’s conduct as creating “a hostile environment” and accusing the union of cultivating what he called “institutional anti‑Semitism.”

Those who have left or spoken out argue these episodes are not isolated. Rather, they say the union’s atmosphere and actions repeatedly marginalize Jewish perspectives and discourage open debate about Israel and Palestine in schools.

Expensive inquiry — what the union has launched and why it matters

The NEU has responded by commissioning a senior barrister — a King’s Counsel — to probe claims of institutional bias and to examine how the union processes complaints. The investigation, according to union statements, reviews the handling of contentious debates and member grievances.

Critics note that while a legal review can be a serious step, many concerns are visible without forensic analysis. For them, the probe raises questions about timing and transparency: reports say the internal review started more than a year ago but was only disclosed publicly this week.

How school visits became a flashpoint for protests and safeguarding fears

A recent controversy that crystallized wider concerns involved the cancellation of a visit by Damien Egan, a Jewish Member of Parliament and vice‑chair of Labour Friends of Israel, to a secondary school in Bristol. The school withdrew the planned engagement after activists — including members of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and some local NEU activists — signaled intention to protest, prompting the school to cite safeguarding worries.

Local reporting suggested activists were discussing tactics in private messaging groups, including the idea of wearing keffiyehs and preparing students with anti‑Israel material in advance of the MP’s appearance. Opponents argued the protests were necessary to hold political figures to account; critics said they amounted to an organized effort to bar pro‑Israel voices from school settings.

Union training and classroom influence: the push to teach about Palestine

Last spring the NEU announced plans to offer training aimed at helping teachers “advocate for Palestine” and to equip educators with approaches to teach the history of the Palestinian cause. According to workshop descriptions, sessions would promote educational methods that emphasize the Palestinian struggle and support the wider movement for Palestinian liberation.

Observers worry those sessions could produce classroom environments that present a one‑sided narrative of the region’s history. In practice, critics say, union encouragement of activist approaches makes it harder for teachers who support Israel — or who want balanced classroom discussion — to feel safe raising alternative perspectives.

Local campaigns and the cancellation of invited speakers

Pressure on schools in Bristol has not been limited to political visits. Last summer, the Cabot Learning Federation — the multi‑academy trust that runs the school involved in the Egan episode — reportedly withdrew an invitation to a speaker from an Israeli‑owned cybersecurity firm after NEU members objected. The NEU’s local branch secretary celebrated the outcomes online, posting messages that some interpreted as triumphalist.

• Supporters of the branch framed these actions as victories for safeguarding and solidarity.
• Detractors called them evidence of local activists prioritizing political campaigns over open educational engagement.

Social posts, leadership rhetoric and the union’s public image

Public social media posts by staff connected to the trust and by prominent union figures have added fuel to the dispute. On the day after the October attacks, a trust inclusion lead posted on social platforms that “Palestine is fighting back,” urging followers to dismiss media narratives that framed Israel as the victim. Such messages, coming so soon after mass casualties, were deeply upsetting to many Jewish staff and families.

The union’s national leadership has also attracted scrutiny. Footage from 2021 shows NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede addressing a Palestine Solidarity Campaign rally and using language that critics interpreted as endorsing radical protest tactics. For many Jewish members, those public moments compounded long‑standing unease about whether the union’s leadership can be impartial on issues that affect Jewish staff and pupils.

Voices inside the union: complaints and a demand for change

Jewish members and former members say they have repeatedly asked the NEU to intervene when anti‑Jewish abuse appears in schools or on union platforms, but they argue the union has been slow or reluctant to respond. The resignation letter from the long‑serving London teacher declared the leadership had fostered a culture where Jewish voices are routinely delegitimized and silenced — a charge that has prompted widespread public debate.

Those who remain in the NEU warn that a split over Israel and Palestine risks tearing the union apart: some want the NEU to take a clear political stance, while others insist the union’s role should be to protect all staff and pupils equally, regardless of political belief or religious background.

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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.