BOARD OF DEPUTIES CALLS FOR TEACHING UNION TO BE INVESTIGATED OVER ANTI-SEMITISM
The UK’s largest Jewish community organisation has called for an investigation into complaints of anti-Semitism at the National Education Union.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews demanded action as it claimed the teaching union had become a “hostile” environment for Jewish teachers.
It said it has received complaints from members after a Jewish teacher was heckled for challenging an anti-Israel motion at the union’s annual conference in Bournemouth earlier this month.
Peter Block, 75, a retired primary teacher from north west London, who spoke against a motion blaming Israel for the war in Gaza, was unable to finish his speech as he was heckled and laughed at by delegates.
An independent complaints process to investigate claims of anti-Semitism at the NEU is needed “urgently”, Daniel Sugarman, the Board of Deputies’ director of public affairs said.
He told LBC’s Nick Ferrari that the treatment of Mr Block “sent a message” to other Jewish members that they would be “targeted” if they spoke out.
He said: “A particular sort of political ideology has taken over in the same way as it took over the Labour Party.
“I think that it’s increasingly clear, unfortunately, that the NEU is a hostile environment for any Jewish person who supports Israel’s right to exist.”
Responding to Mr Sugarman’s comments, Angela Rayner, the Labour deputy leader, called on trade unions to “acknowledge that anti-Semitism is a problem” and have a “programme to tackle it”.
The NEU is Britain’s largest teaching union, with more than 450,000 members.
Speaking to The Telegraph after he was heckled on stage, Mr Block said: “The NEU is a hostile environment for Jewish members, particularly any who have any affiliation or sympathy for Israel.” He added: “No other speakers have been shut down like I was.”
He told delegates that the conference was becoming an “anti-Zionist rally” and said delegates were “jumping on the fashionable anti-Israel bandwagon”.
‘Zero-tolerance approach’
He also warned against “glorifying” Hamas, which he said was a “murderous racist organisation”.
After he was heckled, he told members: “We are still a democracy in this country, as is Israel”.
Daniel Kebede, NEU general secretary, said the union has a “zero-tolerance approach to anti-Semitism and every other form of racism”.
He added: “Accusations of anti-Semitism are therefore taken very seriously. Every member has the right to feel listened to and respected.”
The NEU has agreed to meet the Board of Deputies to discuss its concerns.
Mr Kebede said: “Anti-Semitism should have no place in our society. We believe that freedom of speech and civil debate are part of any properly functioning democracy and that such debate should address issues with respect.”