In recent developments from the UK, the National Education Union (NEU) has been at the center of controversy for its stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At the NEU conference, held in early April 2024, delegates raised concerns about pupils being referred to the Prevent counter-terror programme for wearing pro-Palestinian badges and expressing solidarity with Palestine. A motion was passed calling for more educational resources on Palestine and reaffirming support for the Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

The NEU also accused the Israeli government of racism and handed a motion criticizing its role in the conflict, which was met with criticism from Education Secretary Gillian Keegan. Keegan warned that the motion could potentially harm the Jewish community. However, the NEU defended its position, stressing the importance of discussing the conflict in educational settings and advocating for informed discourse.

The debate at the conference also touched on concerns about silencing discussions on Palestine, with fears that this could lead students, particularly Muslim ones, to seek information from unreliable internet sources.

Despite opposition, including a critique that accused the NEU of glorifying Hamas and blindly following an anti-Israel stance, the motion passed with overwhelming support. It underscored the NEU’s historical solidarity with Palestine and sought to distinguish between criticism of the Israeli government’s policies and antisemitism.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan criticized the union for not acknowledging attacks by Hamas on Israel and called for political impartiality among teachers. In response, Debs Gwynne, who proposed the motion, rejected accusations of antisemitism and clarified that the motion was not an attack on Jewish people or their faith.

The conference saw a notable moment when the Head of the Palestinian mission to the UK received a standing ovation, highlighting a significant level of support among attendees for the Palestinian cause. The NEU reiterated its call for a ceasefire in Gaza and justice for the Palestinian people while condemning violence and advocating for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.