The National Education Union (NEU), Britain’s largest teaching union, has rejected a key recommendation from a government-backed review into antisemitism in UK schools, arguing that adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition could undermine efforts to address prejudice while restricting legitimate classroom discussions about Israel and Gaza.
The response follows an independent review led by Sir David Bell, which examined the scale of antisemitism in UK schools and colleges across England. Published in October 2026, the review made 27 recommendations aimed at improving how educational institutions identify, prevent, and respond to antisemitic incidents. The government has accepted all 27 recommendations.
The NEU, which represents approximately 500,000 members, described the proposal to adopt the IHRA definition across educational institutions as the “wrong approach.” Its position has intensified a debate over how schools should protect Jewish pupils and staff while preserving space for legitimate political discussion.
Union Warns Against Restricting Classroom Debate
General secretary of NEU Daniel Kebede admitted that there has been an increase in antisemitism, which should be addressed both in society and in educational establishments. However, he also recognized the problems faced by Jewish communities because of the events in October 2023.
Nevertheless, Kebede said that adopting the IHRA definition would make the line drawn between antisemitism and criticizing the Israeli government fuzzy. According to him, disapproval of the war in Gaza or criticizing government policies is not antisemitism at all.
Teachers, according to the union, require instructions on how to fight against antisemitism in such a way that they will not prohibit their students from analyzing the international news. Otherwise, teachers would refuse to teach about those topics at all due to confusion.
The disagreement places antisemitism in UK schools at the centre of a wider discussion about safeguarding, freedom of expression, and the responsibility of teachers to maintain political impartiality.
Government Insists on Stronger Safeguards
These recommendations have been approved by the government, with Education Secretary Lucy Powell saying that all 27 recommendations will be adopted. The new guidelines will include education leader training, safeguarding advice, reporting antisemitic cases, and useful materials to aid schools in handling antisemitic cases.
The report made it clear that the voices of Jewish students and teachers needed to be heard and that schools needed a more consistent approach to the identification and challenge of antisemitism in UK schools.
Also, the government is setting up an implementation committee and has tasked Sir David with carrying out a follow-up review one year from now.
Political Leaders Criticise the NEU’s Position
The refusal by the union has received criticisms from political figures and members of the Jewish community.
Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott has called the stance taken by the NEU as “pathetic”, as she thinks that using the definition of the IHRA should not be viewed only as a discussion over Gaza, as Jewish children and teachers are still afraid and discriminated against.
Lord Walney, who is a former government advisor on political violence, also criticised education trade unions, saying that there should be more effort made to protect Jewish students from antisemitic attacks.
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis praised the review report findings, expressing his concerns about the level of antisemitism seen in schools and colleges as being highly disturbing.
Wider Anti-Racism Training Remains a Point of Debate
Even though NEU does not approve of using the definition of IHRA, it is in favour of having extra training that would help teachers identify and confront antisemitism. But this must be included in an overall programme dealing with all kinds of racism.
Kebede spoke against having a hierarchical form of racism by saying that no child or staff member should have less protection based on the type of discrimination he or she faces.
NEU also noted a lack of professional development, noting that 65 per cent of teachers had not had any anti-racism training within the last year.
Schools Face the Challenge of Turning Policy into Practice
The case brings out the complexity involved in formulating educational policies that combat antisemitism while safeguarding discussions in the classroom setting. According to the government, standardization of definitions, training, and reporting is crucial in ensuring that Jewish people are protected. As per the NEU, any support provided should not compromise the ability to discuss political matters without being misinterpreted.
In conclusion, the success of measures aimed at tackling antisemitism in UK schools will be determined by how the institutions put the suggestions in the review into practice and assist both the children and teachers affected. The coming year will show whether the strategies put forth by the government will ensure protection from antisemitism without compromising classroom discussions.
