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Politics

Is the NEU anti-Semitic?

16 replies

Angstinmyspanx · 02/10/2025 21:33

My meeting at school wanted to talk about Gaza. The NEU say that Gaza is not a political subject. I don’t want to talk about politics at school (I just want to talk about pay and conditions). And I worry about how colleagues would feel if they knew that potentially divisive global politics was being discussed.

And I have heard people say that the NEU is anti-Israel and anti-Semitic. Is it? Would I be expelled from the union if I didn’t want to be involved in political discussion?

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sakura06 · 02/10/2025 21:54

Discussing global politics at a school meeting is a bit odd. I know they do discuss politics at regional meetings though. I don’t know what their stance on Gaza/Israel is, but you can check the website. I would hope they’re not antisemitic of course. You definitely shouldn’t be expelled for not wanting to discuss politics!

Angstinmyspanx · 03/10/2025 06:17

Thank you. I think I might give them a wide berth for a bit.

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Angstinmyspanx · 04/10/2025 07:12

I am bumping this in the hope of getting more insights.

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dwordle · 05/10/2025 08:58

Angstinmyspanx · 02/10/2025 21:33

My meeting at school wanted to talk about Gaza. The NEU say that Gaza is not a political subject. I don’t want to talk about politics at school (I just want to talk about pay and conditions). And I worry about how colleagues would feel if they knew that potentially divisive global politics was being discussed.

And I have heard people say that the NEU is anti-Israel and anti-Semitic. Is it? Would I be expelled from the union if I didn’t want to be involved in political discussion?

Anti Israel is not anti Semitic, there's real confusion in your post. I have the right to question Israeli politicians and politics just as I had the right to question apartheid in South Africa.

There are many Jewish people across the world who disagree with Israeli policy.....are they anti Semitic....

Unions will most likely support the plight of any group being subject to poor treatment.Unions promote fairness and diversity... Like we all should

GeneralPeter · 05/10/2025 09:10

dwordle · 05/10/2025 08:58

Anti Israel is not anti Semitic, there's real confusion in your post. I have the right to question Israeli politicians and politics just as I had the right to question apartheid in South Africa.

There are many Jewish people across the world who disagree with Israeli policy.....are they anti Semitic....

Unions will most likely support the plight of any group being subject to poor treatment.Unions promote fairness and diversity... Like we all should

”I hope they are not X and Y” doesn’t imply that X and Y are synonymous. The opposite in fact: it suggests the writer sees them as different, or they wouldn’t need to both be specified.

PsychedelicPoetry · 05/10/2025 09:17

I was anti-the invasion of Iraq and the mass bombing of civilians there, but still wanted the UK to exist as a country. It’s possible to oppose a genocide without being anti-Israel or anti-Semitic. Many Israelis and British Jews oppose the bombing of civilians.

dwordle · 05/10/2025 10:01

Exactly.... Unions always promote fairness and a together approach.

The only people who would support Israeli military action are those promoting division which is largely the emboldened far right. It wasn't long ago that Tommy Robinson and his buddies openly questioned whether the Holocaust actually happened. It's no surprise that they now support Israel because it supports there narrative. They seek to divide communities by inciting hatred for a particular group.

What has surprised me is how easily people are manipulated. How easily people are becoming radicalised and full of hate. So I'm not surprised by the violence at all because I lived in Northern Ireland where one community was set against another. Generations hating each, violence and discrimination.

Despite the attacks on civilians by Hamas you can't justify wholesale slaughter of civilians, in particular children. Israel are big enough to understand the rules and they have the capacity to target Hamas directly without the need to destroy a civilization and the people that live there. The mobile phone bombing has caused immense suffering amongst people who played no part in any conflict.... People scarred and maimed for life. Life changing injuries. If this happened to your or your child how would you feel?

Israel largely stands alone amongst the international community and only a handful of countries support them. There's good reason for this.

I would urge everyone not to get angry, not to hate but actually to reflect and reach out to all groups in the community and actually talk. You'll be surprised how little differences there are. Visit a mosque, go and visit a synagogue, visit a Hindu temple, spend a Sunday morning at church.....you'll find no hate and no division. You'll probably be fed and looked after.

I'm not saying there's no problems because there always is but the conflict we are getting into will only lead to more problems.

noblegiraffe · 06/10/2025 21:59

I just read this blog post and it reminded me of your thread

https://unherd.com/2025/01/lessons-in-antisemitism-from-the-neu/

I have absolutely zero respect for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and what they allow at their marches and there seems to be a lot of dual campaigning going on with key members belonging to both organisations.

I wouldn't be paying my subs for that crap, even before you get to the bit where Jewish teachers are made to feel uncomfortable. They should be focusing on teacher pay and conditions.

Instead of getting expelled, why not switch to a different union?

Lessons in antisemitism from the NEU

https://unherd.com/2025/01/lessons-in-antisemitism-from-the-neu/

Angstinmyspanx · 07/10/2025 18:21

Thank you for sharing that @noblegiraffe

The NASUWT are so much clearer about impartiality laws. I think I might switch.

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1dayatatime · 08/10/2025 08:24

noblegiraffe · 06/10/2025 21:59

I just read this blog post and it reminded me of your thread

https://unherd.com/2025/01/lessons-in-antisemitism-from-the-neu/

I have absolutely zero respect for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and what they allow at their marches and there seems to be a lot of dual campaigning going on with key members belonging to both organisations.

I wouldn't be paying my subs for that crap, even before you get to the bit where Jewish teachers are made to feel uncomfortable. They should be focusing on teacher pay and conditions.

Instead of getting expelled, why not switch to a different union?

Sound practical advice.

Timeforabitofpeace · 13/10/2025 02:42

What a load of absolute bullshit.

Timeforabitofpeace · 13/10/2025 03:00

Lessons learned from Trump, I see. What an apology for a Labour government.

Angstinmyspanx · 13/10/2025 12:52

Who are you talking to @Timeforabitofpeace

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