Jewish MP’s visit to local school cancelled after pro-Palestine campaign
A Jewish MP has been banned from visiting a local school in his constituency following a campaign by a pro-Palestinian group.
Bristol North East Labor MP Damien Egan was due to visit Bristol Brunel Academy in September but the booking was canceled shortly before his arrival.
The Bristol branch of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which protested the visit, described the cancellation as a “victory”.
The decision has now been highlighted by communities secretary Steve Reed, who has described the move as an “absolute disgrace”.
Speaking to the editor of the Jewish News on Sunday, Mr Reed said: “I have a Jewish colleague who has been banned from visiting a school and is not allowed to visit a school in his constituency in case his presence angers teachers. It’s an absolute disgrace.”
Condemning the move and asked what actions would be taken, he said: “They will be called in, and they will be held to account for doing that, because you cannot have people with those kinds of attitudes teaching our children. You just can’t have it.”
Mr Reed did not name his colleague but sources confirmed he was referring to Mr Egan, who did not comment.
Posting on Facebook after the visit was cancelled, the Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign branch said: “Victory for parents, teachers and the community. Bristol North East MP Damian Egan’s planned school visit today (Friday, September 5) has been canceled after the NEU union staff group, parents and local voters raised concerns.
“This is a clear message: politicians who openly support Israel’s genocidal attack on Gaza are not welcome in our schools. Egan is vice president of the Association of Labor Friends of Israel and has been visiting Israel since the current offensive on Gaza began, showing his support.
“We celebrate this cancellation as a victory for protection, solidarity and the power of unionists, parents and campaigners to stand together.”
During Sunday’s event, Mr Reed told the Jewish Labor Movement: “We have to call out these things. We have to be consistent and be prepared to change the law when it happens. Otherwise, we’re legitimizing it from the sidelines, and that’s where it comes from.”
It comes after Bridget Phillipson wrote to university vice-chancellors in October urging them to take “practical and proportionate steps” to protect Jewish students as part of the Government’s efforts to stamp out antisemitism.
The Department for Education (DfE) said around 600 training sessions will be held in the coming weeks for university staff to help them “identify harassment and hate” and facilitate “open, respectful discussion”.
Independent He contacted the Bristol Brunel academy. In a statement GuardAn academy spokesman said: “The evening before Mr Egan’s planned visit we became aware of plans for a public protest outside the school. We have chosen to postpone Mr Egan’s visit to ensure everyone continues to feel safe entering and exiting the school and to avoid any disruption to our students’ learning.
“We have remained in contact with Mr Egan and an alternative date was arranged for his visit some time ago. We also contacted the police and followed their advice.”
