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/

What would you say Free Palestine means?

I think it has multiple interpretations. it has been used by a variety of people for a whole host of reasons. That’s why it is controversial.

In this context, aimed at random British Jewish people, it is most certainly antisemitic.

Thanks for clarifying x

It certainly does have multiple interpretation. Fortunately, the only one that matters, is the one that's taken seriously. Anything else is the operation of free speech - naive and stupid - but still free speech.

Yes I agree in that context it is most certainly antisemitic.

One interpretation adopted by Hamas is that they want the eradication of Israel. That is also very obviously antisemitic.

What is a nicer interpretation would you say?

I agree.

But maybe it is too emotive at the moment, I don't know (I'm interested in the other views expressed on this thread).

Might it be more appropriate to discuss it in schools after the war has ended, do most people think?

It is also used as support for a single democratic state, a two state solution or just a reference that Palestinians have been deprived of their freedoms and dignity and/or are living under occupation.

It’s been co-opted by many different groups. I’m sure you are smart enough to understand that it is a phrase that has multiple meanings and it very much depends on who is saying it and why. It has zero to do with this conversation as I completely agree in this context it is has been used to target someone because of their religion.

I think it would be less raw after the war is over and people arent so whipped up by all the protests.

Perhaps tackle it from an anti bullying perspective. Students and teachers should not be targeted with antisemitism

That's a great idea.

AMillionTomorrows · Today 09:31
‘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

That is so shocking. Were the boys reprimanded?

One would hope so, as well as the parents questioned. They were influenced, somewhere.

Well @Darker was the one who raised it not me but happy to move on.

Thank you for your responses to my question @SharonEllis @EasternStandard & @Dangermoo .

I think for certain demographics and certain maturity levels in school discussion of fine (alongside any sort of debate). However the people.pushing for school debates are not motivated by their children improving debating skills or improving their history of the middle East but more out of frustration their children cannot wear Palestinian flag badges etc. and they hope allowing free discussion of Gaza will allow a form of protest in the classroom where people can rage against the 'genocide' and the injustice of setting up the Israeli state.

We also have the scope for bullying of students who tried to take a pro Israeli approach in debate which can't be negated especially with reference to the current levels of anti semitiam.

So personally it would be a no for me overalll.