Pro-Palestinian Protest Forces Primary School to Close

Pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered outside an east London primary school, resulting in an early closure before the Christmas holidays.

On Thursday, video footage emerged of people protesting outside Barclay Primary School in east London. The school, which caters to children aged four to 11, is one of the largest in the country, with 1,325 students.

The school expressed the need to close early, stating that it would “not enter into further discussions on these matters given the threatening and completely unacceptable conduct being demonstrated.”

‘Apolitical’

According to Muslim news site 5 Pillars, the protest occurred because the school prohibited students from bringing in Palestinian protest materials, alleging “Islamophobia.”

In the footage, a parent, claiming to be from Palestine, stated that the events began on Nov. 17 during Children in Need, when their child wore a “bow tie” in Palestinian colors and later a Palestinian flag on his sleeve to show “empathy” for family members affected by the conflict in Gaza.

The parent mentioned that they were informed the school was “apolitical” and their actions violated school policy.

There were also allegations that some parents were threatened with referrals to the anti-terrorist Prevent program.

The school has refuted the allegations, stating that they are false and that no evidence to support any bullying or misconduct allegations has been found through either an external or internal investigation.

On Thursday, The Lion Academy Trust issued a statement on its site.

“It is very unfortunate and distressing that this misinformation is being used to target a primary school,” a trust spokesperson stated.

“In light of escalating threats against staff and the school, based on malicious fabrications being broadcast by various media outlets, the Lion Academy Trust will be closing the school from Dec. 20, 2023 to all parents and pupils for the Christmas break,” he said.

“This decision has been made after careful reflection and because we need the school to be a safe place for the children and staff,” he added.

Regarding the Prevent accusations, the school clarified that a letter “deliberately taken out of context” was “specific to alleged misconduct by the parties to whom it was sent.”

The trust mentioned that it is “bound by our legal duty under Prevent and while we have never reported anyone to Prevent at the school, and would not wish to do so, we are seeking to be transparent by making individuals aware of the school’s legal obligations.”

‘From The River to the Sea’

Footage depicts dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the school gates carrying signs with “From the river to the sea.”

Some argue that this expression symbolizes Palestinian freedom, while others view it as a call for the annihilation of Jewish people from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, covering all of Israel.

Additionally, a man is seen wearing a Palestinian flag as a cape and a Batman mask that completely conceals his face, holding a megaphone and urging the crowd to chant, “Education is a human right, education is under attack, what we do is stand up and fight back.”

Footage also shows Palestinian flags were also attached to lampposts along the road at night.

A Met spokesman informed The Epoch Times via email that they were notified of the protest at the school and that the road was closed from 8:30 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.

“There were no arrests or incidents of note. The protest was peacefully concluded,” he said.

In October, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan wrote to schools providing guidance on how to discuss the Israel-Hamas conflict in the classroom.

The advice states that schools should ensure “that political expression by pupils is done sensitively, avoiding disruption and feelings of intimidation or targeting for other pupils and staff.”

A Department for Education spokesperson informed The Epoch Times via email: “Intimidation of teachers and staff is unacceptable, and we are working with Barclay Primary School to support them. During periods of heightened community tensions, we support schools to take steps to ensure they remain calm and supportive learning environments, where all pupils feel safe.”

The Epoch Times contacted 5Pillars for comment.