An East London School that is planning to hold a “collective fast” for Gaza will be acting illegally, in breach of the Education Act 1996, unless it ensures that the pupils are offered a balanced presentation of opposing views.

UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) has written to Jon Ryder, Principal of George Green’s School, pointing out that if political issues are brought to the attention of pupils while they attend school, Section 407 of the Education Act 1996 requires him to “take such steps as are reasonably practicable to secure that … they are offered a balanced presentation of opposing views”.

The school’s website implies that Gazan children’s rights to safety, health and education are being violated.  UKLFI has suggested that the school should also highlight that the Palestinian terrorist organisation, Hamas, started the present war by a barbaric attack on families, including children, in Israeli villages; that Hamas leaders threatened to repeat such attacks again and again; that Hamas have endangered Gazan children by using them as human shields, by recruiting them as terrorists, by conducting terrorist activities from civilian areas, and by their own rockets falling short in Gaza; and that many Israeli children have also suffered.

UKLFI has suggested that if the school is not taking steps to show the opposing view, then the event should be cancelled.

Since over half the children at the school receive free school meals, and in some cases their school lunch may be their only substantial meal of the day, UKLFI has pointed out that it appears irresponsible to encourage these children to fast.

The event would also create an intimidating and hostile atmosphere for Jewish children, who feel they have to hide their identity at school and  have been made to feel shameful about being Jewish. This would constitute discrimination and harassment, contrary to the Equality Act 2010.

Jonathan Turner, chief executive of UKLFI, commented: “We understand the concern for the children of Gaza, but schools and other organisations need to remember that Jews also count”.