A pressure group has initiated legal action against the Secretary of State for Education Gavin Williamson for a letter sent to schools across the country to head-teachers and school leaders.

According to CAGE, the letter laid down 'discriminatory guidance on how to handle pro-Palestinian sentiment'. Issued on 28 May, they say that the letter amounted to censorship in violation of the legal duty of impartiality and infringing on the right of pupils to freedom of expression.

This followed a bloody Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip which led to 2000 Palestinians being injured and 256 killed. In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque –the third holiest site in Islam - while settlers forcibly evicted residents from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah district in East Jerusalem.

These events triggered support worldwide and in UK schools. Pro-Palestinian sentiment was expressed by children in a variety of ways, including flying the Palestinian flag, fundraising for charities, and among other forms of advocacy, wearing symbols and emblems in support of Palestine.

Schools responded by censuring students for showing their solidarity with the cause. In the 47 cases of reprimand CAGE has handled so far, nearly all of them resulted in sanctions for students and occasionally teachers due to showing support for the Palestinians.

Cases were reported in primary and secondary schools and sixth form colleges. All incidents involved Muslims.

The letter from Williamson discusses the worrying increase in anti-semitic incidents and how anti-semitism is a form of racism which has no place in schools. Following on from this the letter explains how there has been an increased focus on the Middle Eastern conflict resulting in expressions of anti-Semitism and bullying towards students and teachers.

Williamson added that schools have a legal duty regarding political impartiality and the responsibility of school leaders and staff to act appropriately in the views they express.

The letter states: “When political issues are brought to the attention of pupils, including by the activity and political expressions of other pupils, where this comes to the attention of the school, schools should offer pupils a balanced presentation of opposing views.

“Schools should not present materials in a politically biased or one-sided way and should always avoid working with organisations that promote anti-semitic or discriminatory views.”

The letter concludes that: “There are reputable organisations that can support schools to teach this sensitive topic in a balanced way, avoiding anti-Semitic and other discriminatory narratives. These include Solutions not Sides, the Community Security Trust (CST) and the Forum for Discussion of Israel and Palestine (FODIP).”

CAGE say that the minister’s intervention in 'policing thought' about the Middle Eastern conflict was essentially 'censoring views that challenge the UK government’s narrative on Israel'.

CAGE says it is questionable why not a single organisation known for its support of Palestinians was not included in the 'list of trustworthy organisations'.

Muhammad Rabbani, Managing Director of CAGE said: “Muslims and others across the globe have expressed their solidarity with the people of Al-Aqsa, those facing forced dispossession of their homes in Sheikh Jarrah and the besieged Gaza strip. In response the government has sought to censor discussions in classrooms and exert control over any political activity in schools. This is, fundamentally, a matter of freedom of expression.”

The advocacy group wants the Education minister, “to publicly withdraw the letter” and to, “invite consultation on its replacement.”