Militant union bosses were tonight accused of creating a ‘hostile’ atmosphere for British Jews by organising pro-Palestine demonstrations in hospitals and schools.
Thousands of NHS staff, teachers and civil servants are expected to take part in the ‘workplace day of action’ on Thursday in protest at the war in Gaza.
They have been encouraged to turn up to work wearing red, green and black clothing and badges in support of the Palestinian cause.
But critics tonight said the demos were ill-advised and divisive and will only serve to ‘intimidate’ Jewish and Israeli doctors, patients, students and public sector workers.
The protests are being organised by Trades Union Congress (TUC), Unison, National Education Union (NEU), along with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) and Stop The War Coalition (SWC).
Robert Jenrick, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, said: ‘These protestors are enforcing their divisive politics on patients and children.
‘There is a place for political protest, but the school gates are not it. Labour should be issuing guidance to schools and hospitals that these protests should not go ahead.’
Many workers are expected to attend rallies outside NHS hospitals, public schools and councils during their lunch breaks.
Militant union bosses were tonight accused of creating a ‘hostile’ atmosphere for British Jews by organising pro-Palestine demonstrations in hospitals and schools. They have been encouraged to turn up to work wearing badges in support of the Palestinian cause
Pro-Palestine demonstrations in London. Critics tonight said the demos were ill-advised and divisive and will only serve to ‘intimidate’ Jewish and Israeli doctors, patients, students and public sector workers
Protests and vigils are being planned outside at least six NHS hospitals, including St Mary’s Hospital in London, the Manchester Royal Infirmary and the Bristol Royal Infirmary in what organisers are describing as ‘the biggest day of action yet’.
Ahead of the protests, Jewish groups have written to the Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson to highlight the damaging impact they believe the demonstrations will have on ‘community cohesion’.
Lawyers have also contacted headteachers around the country to remind them of their legal obligation to ensure that pupils are offered a balanced presentation of opposing views in schools.
A spokesperson for the Board of Deputies of British Jews said: ‘This [workplace day of action] represents a continued failure of unions to support workers if they are Jewish.
‘It is time for these unions to decide, are they there to support workers or to play student politics on a conflict on whose facts they appear to be plainly ignorant.’
Alex Hearn, a spokesperson for Labour Against Anti-Semitism, said the unions needed to start focusing on ‘safeguarding their Jewish members’.
NEU members working at scores of Sixth Form colleges are also expected to demonstrate ‘their support for Palestine’ while striking as part of a separate pay dispute.
Yesterday, a spokesperson for the Union of Jewish students said the day of action by unions risked ‘deepening the alienation of Jewish students and staff’.
Robert Jenrick, Shadow Secretary of State for Justice, said: ‘These protestors are enforcing their divisive politics on patients and children. ‘There is a place for political protest, but the school gates are not it’
Ahead of the protests, Jewish groups have written to the Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson (pictured) to highlight the damaging impact they believe the demonstrations will have on ‘community cohesion
A pro-Palestine rally in October. Many workers are expected to attend rallies outside NHS hospitals, public schools and councils during their lunch breaks
A spokesperson for the Jewish Leadership Council added: ‘We have written to Bridget Philipson to raise our concerns regarding the NEU’s plan for a day of ‘workplace action’.
Caroline Turner, a spokesperson for UK Lawyers for Israel said: ‘If a group of NHS staff protest at hospital entrances wearing Palestine paraphernalia this is likely to create an intimidating and hostile atmosphere for Jewish and Israeli staff and patients wanting to enter the building. It may prevent some staff from coming to work, or some patients wanting to enter the hospital.
‘We have written to head teachers reminding them of their legal obligation to ensure that pupils are offered a balanced presentation of opposing views..’
A Unison spokesperson said members were not being asked to wear pro-Palestine attire when dealing with patients.
He added: ‘Union branches are being encouraged to show support for a ceasefire by taking a photo during their lunch break’.
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.
‘We are advising trade union members to undertake the action respectfully, and to discuss with colleagues what action is best suited to their workplace.’
The Department for Education and the Department for Health have been contacted for comment.
Unison, NEU, PSC and Stop The War Coalition have been contacted for comment.