Freedom of speech you say?

[Ohlalalalala]

So it's OK for famous/ less famous people to back one side but not OK for others to back another side?

These are just a few examples of how pressures/ firings are directed at those criticising Israel. Is this normal? What the heck is happening? Is this to silence anyone from voicing what they think is the truth?

BBC News - Melissa Barrera: Actress fired from Scream 7 over Israel-Gaza posts
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67494374

Susan Sarandon
https://deadline.com/2023/11/susan-sarandon-pro-palestinian-remarks-uta-dropped-1235632398/

Agent Maha Dakhil
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/tom-cruise-agent-maha-dakhil-palestine-b2451581.html

I would have understood if they imposed a kind of blanket gag order on all actors/ celebrities not to discuss the conflict.

But!

This is happening while hundreds of others publically supported Israel and were instead celebrated.

McCarthyite witch hunt, I say.

@feralunderclass It can be connected to Christianity. Assuming your g-grandfather wasn't Jewish, maybe she had a Jewish 'sweetheart' before him and just kept it? Although I suppose that would be odd memento to hand down if it wasn't your g-grandfather's!

people wear Star of David or menorah pendant or hand of Fatima , which are all symbols of Jewish faith, friend of mine who’s Sephardi wears a Menorah pendant .
but ive never seen anyone wear a I’m a Zionist pendent or pin which is more perceived as political rather than religious meaning.
as I’ve said it will lead to people wearing other political pins.

Someone said today that most Jewish people are zionists and its different to political zionists I think it was you @Trulywonderful if I'm not mistaken
In which case why is one ok and not the other
BTW I also don't see what's wrong with wearing the star of David

@queenofarles but isn't there different types of zionism
Not all are political? Unless I am mistaken

My question to the teacher would be if she is wearing a star of David why does she need the badge

Just rather odd and a little inappropriate to me. Even though I get she just wants the students to know that Zionism is a part of being Jewish for most people. It could be shwants them to question her so she can explain what Zionism is and what it is not. However again I am afraid that this conversation isn't appropriate in school unless a religious education or PHSE class and even then most schools won't allow it. It is a parental minefield if the conversation gets taken out of context.

Yes, thank you, that's the question I had which you put more eloquently!

If someone else for example wore a badge of a watermelon would that be OK? I know its not as commonly known but it was the symbol used when the Palestinian flag was banned from being on display
Where does one draw the line and on what basis?

Schools cannot draw the line. Therefore no badges or pins or flags or anything that is possibly a political statement

When had are lost non uniform day the SLT had to say no football strips too. Just in case someone rocked up in a Israel or Iran, Palestinian etc One

It is very difficult to police these things but if you don't let any political statement slide then the students soon start respecting that and don't upset each other on purpose too

No idea Parkingt111 , we don’t talk about such specifics , although we do have lots of things in common , she being of North African Jewish ancestry it felt as though we shared the same upbringing.

regarding the watermelon it is a symbol of Palestine but is it associated with a political or extreme ideology ?

@Trulywonderful I'm not religious either but I have a beautiful one that was passed down by my French grandmother and also see it as an object of strength. I used to carry it around in my purse for luck (because I'm ridiculously superstitious). But I'm genuinely terrified of losing it so it sits away in a box now and I'll pass it down too. I think with not being religious it probably feels more of a family/heritage symbol than a specifically Jewish one.

@queenofarles as far as I am aware it isn't. But it's how different people view it. These concepts are not so black and white.
Some may see it symbolic to palestine whereas others may see it as based on a symbol of resistance
Which again goes back to where is the line drawn if its not a badge but worn as a necklace by a teacher for example

BTW these questions are not to wind up or start an argument. My favourite subject in college was sociology and i love hearing different perspectives on what is and isn't socially acceptable and why. There's not always a right or wrong answer either

Teachers are legally obliged to remain politically impartial.

Is that by law - can you point out to where I can find that info please?

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/political-impartiality-in-schools/political-impartiality-in-schools

I did once lose mine at work actually

Luckily I am tight with the site service team and one of them helped me search the entire school for it. In the end it was found. I nearly had a heart attack until it was though.

Still talking about a water melon?

I see it as a symbol of the movie Dirty Dancing

@Trulywonderful God I would be distraught if I lost it - it's my lucky charm!

True

Yes that's true
But it was said that zionism is not necessarily political

It isn't but as in the current climate the badge could be taken that way it is not responsible for a teacher to wear it

Plus it is a statement of belief rather than a religious symbol as such. Therefore not really appropriate in a lot of ways.

Our old friend context with a dab of educational policy throw in.

Yes true. Banning all is alot easier in that sense

Thank you for that explanation
Context is key

This is totally unacceptable in a school setting. Wearing a Star of David is fine but a badge like that, absolutely not.

Are the school OK with that? What about the parents? Did no one complain?

It's a school, children of all backgrounds should feel safe regardless of ethnicity or religion. Her explanation is not sound at all. What could be done is maybe some wellbeing (for lack of a better word) sessions for any children who might be affected by the current events.

Hey this thread went from offensive and repetitive to interesting and informative. Way to go mumsnetters!!