Schools and healthcare settings must remain politically neutral during the TUC’s planned “day of action” for Palestine on Thursday.
A government spokesperson told the JC that: “Schools and healthcare settings are places of protection. The law is clear that schools must remain politically impartial, and the General Medical Council has advised that doctors must not express their personal beliefs, whether political or otherwise, to patients in ways that could reasonably cause them distress.”
They continued: “All citizens are entitled to their political opinions and have the right to campaign on issues, but we expect any action to be conducted respectfully.”
Jewish communal groups had expressed concern over the TUC’s campaign, one of the suggestions of which was for workers to “wear something red, green, black or a Palestinian keffiyeh to visibly show solidarity. Photos from the day could be shared on social media, creating a visual display of support.”
The Board of Deputies said in a post on social media that the campaign “represents a continued failure of unions to support workers if they are Jewish”.
The Board added: “Whatever the stated intent, attempts to bring this issue into the workplace in such a fashion will undoubtedly add to the belligerent atmosphere which many Jewish staff have been facing across a variety of sectors and highlights an ongoing issue whereby certain unions have prioritised gesture politics over the welfare of Jewish workers in their sector, resulting in an exodus of Jews from such unions.”
The Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) said it had written to the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson over concerns that plans for the day of action in schools would have a “damaging impact on community cohesion but may also be unlawful”.
Government sources told the JC that: “the law is clear that schools must remain politically impartial. Schools must not promote partisan political views to pupils and should ensure they are provided with a balanced presentation of political issues.”
Responding to concerns expressed by the JLC, a spokesperson for teachers’ union the National Education Union – which is backing the TUC’s campaign – told the JC: “As it is a call for workplace action this is for school staff members not students to participate in. Where it is taken up it will consist of activities for members, not pupils, such as writing to their MP highlighting the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza.”
The TUC’s campaign has also been criticised for offering too narrow a perspective as part of their campaign.
Steve Scott, Director of Britain Israel Trade Union Dialogue (BITUD) said: “We have called for the day to include information on the dreadful terror attacks on October 7, which started this awful war in Gaza, that left 1200 people murdered in Southern Israel. This has also been a tragedy for ordinary Palestinians in Gaza who have suffered from the actions of Hamas.
“Only by fully understanding the reasons for the war can we all call for a ceasefire in solidarity with all in Israel and Palestine”, Scott added.
A spokesperson for the TUC said: “The day of action is focused on the TUC’s call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and the release of all hostages and political prisoners.
They continued: “We are advising trade union members to undertake the action respectfully, and to discuss with colleagues what action is best suited to their workplace.”