Britain’s largest teaching union has faced claims of “institutional antisemitism” from its Jewish members, sparking a secret inquiry hidden from the public for more than a year.
The National Education Union (NEU) has appointed Matrix Chambers barrister Karon Monaghan KC to investigate claims the organisation fostered a “hostile environment” for Jewish members.
The probe only came to light this week amid renewed controversy over the union’s conduct.
General Secretary Daniel Kebede launched the investigation, saying “debate on contentious issues can often be complex.’”
Ms Monaghan, who previously probed sexual harassment cases within the GMB union and Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party, has interviewed members who complained of antisemitic treatment.
Testimony includes a Jewish educator who resigned in September, accusing the union of “institutional antisemitism”.
The former member, a 50-year-old secondary school teacher who spent 19 years in the NEU and a decade as a Barnet representative, asked to remain anonymous.
In his resignation letter, he slammed Mr Kebede for “inflammatory rhetoric” and a “failure to protect Jewish members”.
The NEU has appointed Matrix Chambers barrister Karon Monaghan KC to investigate the claims
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“I will not remain part of an organisation whose leadership has created and sustained an environment that is hostile to Jewish members, in breach not only of moral responsibility but of the law,” he wrote.
His letter further alleged the union had breached the Equality Act through harassment of members possessing a “protected characteristic”.
“You have fostered a culture where Jewish voices are delegitimised and silenced,” it read.
The revelation of the inquiry coincides with a row over Jewish Labour MP Damien Egan, whose planned visit to Bristol Brunel Academy was cancelled in September.
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Mr Kebede was slammed for ‘inflammatory rhetoric’ and ‘failing to protect Jewish members’
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The school cited “safeguarding” concerns after activists organised a protest over Mr Egan’s connections to Labour Friends of Israel.
Bristol NEU subsequently celebrated the cancellation on social media, claiming its members within the school had “raised concerns”.
The union has been exceedingly outspoken about the Middle East conflict, passing motions last year that branded Israel guilty of “genocide” and “apartheid”.
It also announced plans to develop classroom materials about Gaza for teachers to deploy in schools.
Jewish Labour MP Damien Egan had a planned visit to Bristol Brunel Academy cancelled in September
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GETTYThe NEU has also previously encouraged educators to organise workplace action highlighting the “Palestinian struggle for freedom”.
In 2021, before assuming leadership, Mr Kebede addressed a Palestine Solidarity Campaign rally, urging crowds to “globalise the intifada”.
The NEU has said the inquiry will not be focusing exclusively on antisemitism.
A spokesman stated: “It is not accurate to say this is a report solely about antisemitism. Daniel Kebede, upon being elected as General Secretary, made a proactive and positive decision, of his own volition, to review the processes and policies of how debate of contentious issues is handled within the union, as well as the processes for member complaints.”
