Anti-Semitism rife in UK schools

[Twiglets1]

Anti-Semitism is rife in the UK’s schools, with more than half of Jewish teachers reporting abuse. Jewish teachers have reported increasing instances of swastika graffiti and chants of “free Palestine” and “f--- the Jews”.

The findings were revealed in a survey of Jewish teachers by the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), which has more than 300,000 members.

It comes after a Government-backed report found that anti-Semitism has been normalised in middle-class Britain.

The survey found that 51 percent of Jewish teachers had experienced anti-Semitism in their schools since May 2023. A total of 44 per cent reported swastika graffiti appearing at their school since May 2023, and 39 per cent have witnessed or been subject to Nazi-related comments.

Jewish teaching staff reported being told “it’s not racist to say Jews are rich – it’s just a fact”, while others have faced assumptions that they are Israeli and not British citizens.

The rise in the abuse is being fuelled by “dangerous” rhetoric from the far-Right and misinformation on social media, according to Matt Wrack, the acting NASUWT general secretary.

But the union’s response has been criticised for failing to address anti-Semitism from far-Left or Islamist groups in the aftermath of the Oct 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07/20/anti-semitism-rife-in-uk-schools/

From the same article:

Russell Langer, the director of public affairs at the Jewish Leadership Council, said: “This survey clearly demonstrates the shocking levels of antisemitism being experienced by Jewish teachers. We support the call for increased guidance to assist schools in stamping out this hatred.

“However, to truly understand this trend, it is fundamental to see it within the context of the rise in anti-Semitism since the Hamas attack in October 2023.

“Any Government guidance or union that truly wishes to address this issue must emphasise that it is not limited to the far-Right but also far-Left and Islamist extremists.”

Last week a report commissioned by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the country’s largest Jewish community organisation, found anti-Semitism to be pervasive in the NHS, at universities and in the arts.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07/20/anti-semitism-rife-in-uk-schools/

Well there is a surprise when you have a political climate where anti semitism is almost permissible. It is going people who will be particularly prone to Hamas propaganda on SM so the problem was always going to come up in schools where children are prone to bully any way.

To imagine we have had posters on here who have suggested having class discussions on Gaza as part of current affairs. I read that as allow kids to collapse how shi t Israel were in a school sanctioned environment. Shocking.

To imagine we have had posters on here who have suggested having class discussions on Gaza as part of current affairs

Well given16 year olds will be voting in the next election, I’d have thought touching on the topic would be pretty sensible. If nothing else, it could be made clear that you cannot assume the viewpoint of someone based solely on their religion (for example, not all Jews are supportive of Netanyahu) and that abusing British people over the decisions of a foreign government is racist/illogical behaviour.

I agree it is sensible if the topic of Gaza is discussed in lessons as long as they are facilitated by a teacher who can command respect for alternative views in discussing what is a very nuanced topic. With no emphasis on picking a side, saying who is "right" or "wrong" since that is subjective - but getting the pupils to understand how this war came about and how both sides feel they have been wronged in the past. Much like WW2 is now discussed factually & without much judgement on the countries that participated but rather trying to understand how it could have happened.

On MN it is hard for people to debate politely on this highly emotive topic, it appears. Good Luck to the teachers in having more success in keeping discussions in school civil and on track. And of course any anti semitic assumptions should be (gently) challenged in the classroom, in the same way that anti Muslim assumptions (or any racist attitudes) should be challenged too.

I get your points about going people discussing Gaza in the classroom but maybe cynically I would think the discussions would descend into Israel bashing and a means of brining protest into the classroom. I think those that want to 'discuss' Gaza do not want the sensible nuanced discussion suggested but have a venue where they can express anger against the IDF.

I used to work in schools and have been in what used to be called Religious Education lessons (now renamed things like Philosophy & Ethics).

The pupils in the lessons I observed would discuss controversial issues surprisingly sensitively & conducted themselves much better than many MNs on these threads. Of course the teachers set the tone and made it clear that points had to be made with respect for other people's beliefs and values, but the pupils also self moderated to a large degree. Young people can be more open minded sometimes than older people. Most young people would hate to think of themselves as racist but may just be less informed about antisemitism than other types of racism.

I think more education on this topic can only be a good thing. The pupils will be picking up all sorts of shit from sites like TikTok. To understand some actual facts without exaggerations or bias could only be a good thing, in my opinion.

Do you think Free Palestine is anti-Semitic?

You can forget that Twigs. Education is riddled with left wing educators.

Do you think you know what Free Palestine means?

From Wikipedia The Free Palestine organization opposes the existence of Israel, and was mostly known for political activism and social services in favor of Palestinians in Syria and the Gaza Strip before 2012.

For Hamas and Iran, freeing Palestine means the total eradication of Israel.

However, I am not sure that most people who call for "Free Palestine" realise that so I don't think they necessarily mean to be anti semitic. They may think "free Palestine" means something else, which is where it would be good to have lessons about the Free Palestine organisation and meaning behind the phrase in school.

I respect your opinion but the teachers I have observed conducting lessons on religious beliefs and values have conducted them very fairly and with due respect for all opinions as long as phrased politely.

You are correct in your assumptions. Around Brexit, I wouldn't have even bothered peer observing a lesson in a politics or Sociology class. It's not a class that would have seen nuance.

I'm surprised to hear that - relieved, but surprised.

Obviously it is just my experience but it gives me hope. Also, it was a non-religious school in a multicultural area so that may have helped as the pupils had a range of backgrounds and views themselves.

‘Free Palestine’ becomes anti semitic when it is shouted at Jewish children in a school. As has happened to my child who was minding her own business at the time. A group of boys walked up to her and started shouting it at her. She had never made any comment about Israel or Palestine.

Very sorry to hear that happened to your daughter.

This should ideally be reported to the school so the boys can be punished - or better still educated, as to why their behaviour was unacceptable.

It was thank you. I just meant to say some slogans can be shouted by well meaning people without being anti semitic but the same slogans become anti semitic if they are used in a certain way. Context and intention is relevant.

The last thing most Jewish children in a non Jewish school would want is another conversatiin about gaza. And probably muslim children too.

Sorry to hear this. You’re right it is antisemitic behaviour.

I think it’s incredibly important this, and all, emotive current issues are discussed in a respectful school context. Otherwise we leave YouTube, TikTok and a child’s potentially very limited social circle to fill the void. I remember really valuable discussions on Kosovo, 911 and then the Iraq war when I was at school, for instance.

So 8 posts in a conversation about antisemitism in schools we are derailed by a discussion about whether 'free palestine' is antisemitic because someone decided to lob it into the conversation. And that is why keeping the 'debate' out of schools is probably a very good idea because the level of discussion is so poor and its an awful lot to expect of teachers, and the children who have an emotional investment in the subject.

Perhaps the schools should talk about how to treat each other and why bringing SM type attacks based on the issue is wrong. They probably do this idk

So it can be addressed but in a way to help students who might be targeted.

The phrase Free Palestine didn’t originate with that organisation which seems to be only around since 2002. Your point is utterly meaningless.

Whatever opinion you hold about the phrase, I’m sure we can al agree that it is certainly antisemitic if it is directed at someone solely because they are Jewish like what @AMillionTomorrows child experienced or the teachers in the article.

Having had to lead a discussion on this topic, covering someone else's year 12 tutor group, with (probably) students of both Jewish and Arab descent in the class, hard agree - it's far too fraught and complex. You can't do.justice to it in a 15 minute tutor time. It trivialised serious issues.

Thanks for your experience. I think it is quite traumatic for peoplle in a group setting to feel they have some responsibility for a particular position on something like this which is a subject potentially tied up with their identity. Wrapped up with the fact that everyone HAS to have a position to secure their place on the moral high ground. And its so prone to sloganeering.