A pupil asked me this at school today...

[ItWasnaMeGuv]

"I support the Palestinians against the genocidal Israelies. What side are you on Palestinian or Israel?" I am a support assistant who helps in the playground where this happened. I have never, in 25 years doing this job, been asked such a personal question. I replied "well, that is a very personal question." Then changed the subject. Child is P6 (Scotland) or (Y5 England/Wales).

This is a good answer. Teachers at DS's high school aren't allowed to give personal opinions on political or religious issues.

This reads like it was written by someone that's never even met a child, never mind worked with them for a long time. Bizarre!

You could have said ‘this is a really complex issue which most people, including me, don’t fully understand and therefore I am unable to give an unbiased opinion.’

Do you think the child was genuinely curious or trying to be controversial?

Given the death threats to staff, in some East London schools, the child could have been sent in there by parents to identify 'problematic' school staff.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/18/primary-school-forced-into-online-learning-palestine-flag/

I'd report it to the Head Teacher. It is probably nothing, but might be something more sinister.

I don't think being asked if you support genocide or not is a particularly personal question. I assume you don't. That's not personal information.

I work with children. Last week I was quite taken aback when a Year 1 child asked me a similar question. In fact, he didn't so much ask as give me a 2 minute spiel about why we should support Palestine against the horrible Israel and then look for some sort of response at the end. This was the first time I had met the boy. During the previous 30 minutes (when our session started) he had managed to converse on the level of an average 5-6 year old, nothing remarkable either positive or negative. Then he came out with a whole speech about Palestine, including some quite long words that he can't possibly have understood. I was quite surprised. I expect it from a Year 4, not a Year 1. I clearly expect personal questions, but not that level of rehearsed speech.

Oh aye.

A child of that age is just repeating what they've heard at home from people who have a limited view of what's going on. You can't call the Israelis 'genocidal' without mentioning that Hamas has also declared they want a genocide of Jewish people/Israelis and have been doing their very best to make it happen since Hamas was first formed. I think you answered perfectly.

Thinking about it, a better answer would be "That's no one's business but mine", not just "None of your business', because the child will convey your answer back home.

It's not a personal question.

It's a question about current affairs from a ten year old.

I'm surprised you've never been asked to give your opinion about something in the news in the last 25 years.

Your answer was ok.

Again that's not the question....

Also it's not asking

"What's your opinion on the Israel Palestine conflict?

That's a neutral question.
The question the boy asked was loaded and biased.

I think you answered in the right way, OP. Even though I'm inclined to agree with the child I wouldnt have said so.

Your response was good, ducks answering a very contentious question.

We (school) have been told to put an immediate stop to any talk about the issue at all. There are quite a few Jewish kids and some teachers, plus a good sprinkling of Muslim children/staff, as in many of our local schools.

That's not natural language for a child of that age. They're being indoctrinated and parroting what their parents tell them.

I think your answer was fine, OP, and I hope you've logged the conversation as a safeguarding concern.

It’s not a safeguarding concern, it’s a discussion of current affairs.

It could be both

That's not natural language for a child of that age. They're being indoctrinated and parroting what their parents tell them.

It may as well be a provocation. Just like we've seen countless "how many genders are there" confrontation videos. Don't bite it. The "peace" answer is a good one. Or a reminder that personal political views are not an appropriate discussion in this setting.

For what reason?

Or the child could be autistic or have engaged parents that asked him opinions on important topics of the day and he is following their social 'script' with another adult.

My DD absolutely spoke like that at that age and younger as a 'little professor' as it's termed and in teaching her social skills she was always reminded to ask the other person what their opinion was otherwise she has a habit of talking AT you rather than to you

I would've said I'm on the side of peace and that I hope some arrangement can be reached so everyone can be safe.

I get asked my opinion on a lot of things. If appropriate, I'm honest, if not , I give a stock answer. Sometimes I just say "I haven't really thought about it, but I'll get back to you.".Sometimes it can be a precursor to their own worries or internal conflict. Kids are curious, not just about the world , but about you as a person. The more they get to know you, the more they'll trust you .

There’s some real anger out there about this. I’ve seen and heard some real venom towards people.
ive never seen anything like it, it fills me with true worry and upset.
whichever side your on, I cannot understand why some people seem so gleeful at the hurt and pain of others. Children dying, people starving. No one deserves that.

@PaperDoIIs
Primarily because of the phrase 'genocidal Israelis' which suggests the children have been around conversations that could be deemed anti-Semitic. That would raise concerns linked to the Prevent duty.
It's a very loaded question and I'd be equally concerned if a child asked 'What do you think of the justified destruction of the Palestinian state?' Rather than 'What do you think of what's happening between Israel and Palestine?'. The latter is a genuine question a child might ask if trying to make sense of it all. The former suggests they've been exposed to anti-palestine opinions.

Would someone in Year 5 understand and use the word 'genocidal'?

I wouldn't have thought so myself.