by Albert Tait, Telegraph
Review into anti-Semitism says schools should ‘consider appropriateness’ of political expressions
Teachers face being banned from wearing pro-Palestine badges following a review of anti-Semitism in schools.
The report by Sir David Bell, commissioned by the Government, will detail the scale of abuse suffered by Jewish pupils, with three in five reporting that they had been targeted.
Sir David, a former Ofsted chief inspector, will make 27 recommendations to deal with anti-Semitism in schools and colleges in England. These will include strengthening guidance on political impartiality, particularly regarding geopolitical issues.
He will also say schools should “consider the appropriateness” of political expressions or identifiers. It comes after reports that some teachers had taken to wearing pro-Palestine badges in the classroom, including the Palestinian watermelon symbol.
There is currently no blanket ban on teachers wearing pro-Palestine badges in schools. Schools have a legal duty to prevent teachers from promoting partisan political views, but it is left to their interpretation whether such badges fall foul of this.