Jamiatul Ummah later removed the texts, saying it condemned “all forms of extremism”.
Nojarul Islam, the school’s principal, said they categorically have “no knowledge” of anyone from the school’s community, including pupils, parents, staff, governors or trustees putting up any flags outside the school premises.
He said: “The flags are not within our immediate school boundary and in a public space” and stressed it was a matter for the council.
Swanlea Secondary School in Whitechapel had one flag flying outside its main gate and another at its year 10/year 11 entrance. The school has been approached for comment.
Mulberry Stepney Green Maths, Computing & Science College, an academy school, had one Palestinian flag next to its entrance in front of a sign promoting a sixth form open day. Another flag was also seen on the immediate opposite street outside of a youth centre. The school has been approached for comment.
‘Oppressive and intimidating’
Stickers which read, in bold capitals, “IDF BABY KILLERS!” were stuck on public railings opposite Our Lady & St Joseph Catholic Primary School, a Palestinian flag lay nearby, visible from the classrooms and playground. The school has been approached for comment.
Other schools which also had flags near to entrances included Stepney All Saints School, Oaklands School in Bethnal Green, George Green’s Secondary School in the Isle of Dogs and St Paul’s Way Trust School in Bow Common.
A spokesman for St Paul’s Way said: “As an educational establishment that is directed by the Department for Education we are politically neutral. “We are unable to comment on any matter beyond the school boundary”.
All other schools have been approached for comment.
Several primary schools had Palestinian flags opposite school entrances including Mayflower Primary School, which was named State Primary School of the Year by The Sunday Times, and St Paul with St Luke Church of England Primary School. These have all been approached for comment.
Jewish residents in Tower Hamlets say they are living in a “total state of fear” from the sheer number of flags on display in the borough and feel their complaints to the council have fallen on deaf ears.
One couple, who wished to remain anonymous, said they had been forced to send their children to schools in a different borough because they could not “guarantee their safety” in Tower Hamlets.
“The flags, the posters, the local marches, local school walkouts and the council’s involvement in them, the council’s statements and inaction are the reasons for this”.
Another Jewish resident said the “oppressive and intimidating” flags meant they now felt “unwelcome for the first time” in the 20 years they have lived in the borough.
‘I feel afraid in my home’
In Wapping, a Jewish family said graffiti daubed outside their local primary school which read: “Israel = Scum” was not cleaned away for two weeks.
Another said: “We are living in a total state of fear in Tower Hamlets and we feel forgotten by the Jewish community.
“Just because we are a minority does not mean our distress should be ignored… I feel very very afraid in my own home, I am desperate for someone to please help.”
‘We reject gaslighting accusation’
The Tower Hamlets Palestine Solidarity Network, a grassroots group in the borough, said supporting Palestinians and raising awareness about its plight are “not illegal or offensive acts”.
“We reject any gaslighting accusation and the false narrative of intimidation.
“The council’s decision not to remove flags stand as evidence of community support, whilst community tensions are being closely monitored by the local community.”
‘Monitoring community tensions’
A spokesman for Tower Hamlets council said: “As one of the most diverse areas in the country, we are monitoring any community tensions closely with our tension monitoring group, which includes the police and representatives from a broad range of community organisations.
“A number of Palestinian flags have been put up by the public in recent months. While we appreciate people want to express their support for Palestine, we have a routine responsibility to monitor and maintain council infrastructure. The situation is under regular review.
“Separately to Palestinian flags, the council will remove at the earliest opportunity any graffiti, posters or flags which are racist or generally offensive.”
It comes after a primary school in Leyton, east London, told parents it may have to stop in-person teaching after its policy to ban children from wearing pro-Palestinian badges attracted bomb threats.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/01/19/jewish-community-in-fear-palestinian-flag-outside-schools/
