A planned school visit by a Jewish Labour MP was called off after a campaign by a pro-Palestine group, with the school citing concerns his presence could 'inflame' teachers.
Visit Cancelled Hours Before Event
Damien Egan, the Labour MP for Bristol North East, had been scheduled to speak to students at Bristol Brunel Academy in September. However, the school cancelled the engagement just hours before it was due to take place.
The incident was brought to public attention by Communities Secretary Steve Reed. Speaking at a Jewish Labour Movement conference in north London, Reed condemned the decision, stating a Jewish colleague had been 'banned' from a school in his own constituency.
"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. That is an absolute outrage," Reed said.
Campaign Group Claims Victory
Following the cancellation, the Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign posted on Facebook, claiming the move came after concerns were raised by the National Education Union (NEU) staff group, parents, and constituents.
Their statement read: "This is a clear message: politicians who openly support Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza are not welcome in our schools." The group noted Egan's role as vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel and a visit he made to Israel.
Similarly, Bristol NEU celebrated the cancellation as "a win for safeguarding, solidarity, and for the power of the NEU trade union staff group, parents, and campaigners standing together."
MP Targeted Since Election
This incident is part of a pattern of targeting faced by Damien Egan, who has an Israeli husband, since he won his seat in the 2024 election. The Bristol Cable reported that prior to the cancelled visit, there was a 'flurry of organising' at another local school, including plans for staff to wear keffiyehs.
Steve Reed used the conference to promise a tougher stance, stating the government had been slow to respond to anti-Israel extremism and that Labour had 'reassessed' this approach. He vowed to hold those responsible to account.
It is understood there remains hope that the school visit may be rescheduled for a future date. Neither Damien Egan nor Bristol Brunel Academy have issued public comments on the matter.
