A Jewish Labour MP was banned from visiting a school in his Bristol North East constituency following pressure from pro-Palestine campaigners and union members.
Damien Egan had arranged to inspect Bristol Brunel Academy in September, but the routine visit was called off after the local Palestine Solidarity Campaign voiced its opposition.
Among those mounting a campaign against his attendance were left-wing members of the National Education Union (NEU).
The activists cited what they termed “safeguarding concerns” and highlighted the MP’s role as vice chair of Labour Friends of Israel.
Those behind the campaign claimed to speak for teachers, parents and local residents, pointing to Mr Egan’s connections to the pro-Israel parliamentary group as justification for blocking his visit.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed disclosed the incident while addressing the Jewish Labour Movement’s annual conference on Sunday.
“I have a colleague who is Jewish, who has been banned from visiting a school and refused permission to visit a school in his own constituency, in case his presence inflames the teachers,” Mr Reed revealed.
“That is an absolute outrage,” he declared.
Damien Egan, a Jewish MP, has been banned from visiting a school in his constituency after a pro-Palestine campaign
|
PA
When asked how the Government would respond, the Cabinet minister made clear there would be consequences.
“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 told Jewish News.
The Communities Secretary did not identify his colleague by name during the conference appearance.
However, social media posts from September show pro-Palestine activists celebrating their success in blocking the MP’s visit.
Mr Egan represents Bristol North East
|
GETTY
The Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign published a Facebook post on 5th September declaring: “Victory for parents, teachers and the community.
“The planned school visit today (Friday 5th September) by Damian Egan, MP for Bristol North East, has been cancelled after concerns were raised by the NEU trade union staff group, parents and local constituents.”
“This is a clear message: politicians who openly support Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza are not welcome in our schools. Egan is Vice Chair of Labour Friends of Israel and has visited Israel since the current onslaught on Gaza began, demonstrating his support,” the post continued.
Campaigners described the outcome as “a win for safeguarding, solidarity, and for the power of trade unionists, parents, and campaigners standing together”.
Mr Egan has faced persistent targeting by anti-Israel activists since winning his parliamentary seat in 2024.
The MP is married to Yossi Felberbaum, an Israeli software developer at Google who served in the military, and has been provided with enhanced security as a result.
Born in Cork, Egan relocated with his family during childhood to the Kingswood constituency in Gloucestershire.
The activists celebrated the ban as a ‘victory for parents, teachers and the community’
|
GETTY
He has spoken in parliamentary debates in support of the Jewish state.
Britain’s largest teaching union has adopted an increasingly hardline position on Israel under the leadership of general secretary Daniel Kebede.
Last year, reports emerged that the NEU had been instructing members on methods to introduce the “Palestinian struggle” into classroom settings.
Earlier this month, it was revealed that Mr Kebede was also hatching a plot to “undermine Reform UK” and “defend” schools from the impact of a Government led by Nigel Farage.
