UK schools could introduce restrictions on pro-Palestinian badges worn by teachers as a government review calls for stronger measures to protect Jewish students from antisemitism.
Teachers in the United Kingdom could face bans on wearing pro-Palestinian badges following a government-commissioned review into antisemitism in schools, The Telegraph reported Tuesday.
The review, commissioned in March by the Department for Education (DfE), was conducted by Sir David Bell, the current vice-chancellor and chief executive of the University of Sunderland and a former chief inspector of Ofsted. It details the extent of antisemitic abuse experienced by Jewish students, with three in five reporting that they had been targeted.
The review follows reports of teachers wearing pro-Palestinian badges in classrooms, including those featuring the watermelon symbol, which has become associated with Palestinian solidarity.
Review calls for stronger guidance on political impartiality
The review outlines 27 recommendations to tackle antisemitism in schools and colleges across England, including stronger guidance on political impartiality, particularly when addressing geopolitical issues.
Under existing UK regulations, schools are legally required to prevent teachers from promoting partisan political views. However, school administrators decide whether expressions of political support, such as wearing pro-Palestinian badges, violate those rules.
No blanket ban currently exists on teachers wearing pro-Palestinian badges in schools.
Speaking to Sky News, Bell called for clearer guidance on political impartiality to ensure students could “debate topical and difficult issues without feeling that teachers are imposing their own views on students."
Bell emphasizes importance of recognizing antisemitism
In a video posted to X/Twitter by the Department for Education, Bell emphasized the importance of recognizing antisemitism as a distinct form of prejudice.
"Calling out antisemitism as a specific kind of prejudice and harm is an essential aim of this report," Bell said.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell also addressed the need to tackle antisemitism in schools, saying, "I want to make a real impact. This has to be a point where we draw a line in the sand, and we can begin that clear roadmap for change."
Bell calls for antisemitism to be recognized as a distinct form of prejudice
Bell also argued that broader efforts to combat discrimination have not adequately addressed antisemitism as a distinct form of prejudice.
“I think what this review has demonstrated is that a general commitment to tackling racism or prejudice or hate has not properly identified antiSemitism as a particular kind of hate, and certainly that’s one of the themes of this report.
“We do need to name antiSemitism as a particular kind of prejudice and hate, because I think if you don’t name it, you don’t actually know what you’re tackling.”
Bell further urged schools to ensure that staff conduct policies explicitly prohibit antisemitism and that effective procedures are in place for students to report incidents and receive an appropriate response.
The recommendations place emphasis on establishing clearer expectations for teachers while ensuring that schools have the necessary measures to identify and address antisemitism when it occurs.