Letters to the Editor, September 20 2024

Not to mention Israel’s advanced agricultural technology, benefitting itself and the rest of the world.

All these under Bibi’s leadership!

Colin Rossiter

London WC2

The fact that the NEU (National Education Union) continues its one-sided and deeply antisemitic policies has completely undermined what any teachers' union ought to be standing for (Teachers’ union accused of spreading ‘extreme hatred of Israel’, thejc.com, September 6).

At one time, the NUT the forerunner of the NEU, was in the forefront of educational policy making; it produced outstanding professional guidelines together with academic papers on pedagogic research, its leaders were highly respected, and the NUT was always there to support all teachers in their professional role.

It has now abandoned these sound principles, and instead has spent time, effort and energy into demonising Israel, causing deep fissures in staff rooms for Jewish teachers, exacerbating differences and undermining their own policies.

This behaviour by a teaching union is both shameful and unforgivable.

Teaching is a profession and a vocation, they shape society and lead by example, classrooms and schools must be safe places, predicated on equity, and where there can be no place for racism.

The NEU has destroyed its own credibility, forcing Jewish teachers to leave the union, and I would strongly advise those Jewish teachers remaining to consider whether or not they can stay in an organisation that promotes its own racist ideologies, as opposed to sound educational policies that are ethical and designed to make for a better world for our precious children.

Laurie Rosenberg

Woodford Green

I wanted to thank you for raising awareness regarding the motion put forward by the NEU to the TUC.

I was shocked by both the actions and the language of the motion, especially the failure to mention the continued terrorist atrocities committed by Hamas. As a teaching profession, we consistently preach to students the importance of balance and critical thinking; it would appear to me that the NEU has failed in this.

This is all the more shocking given that there has been no consultation with members of the NEU as to this motion.

As a result of your article, I have resigned my membership of the NEU.

Gregg Tysall

Bromley

On the back of the John Nathan's review of Firebrand (Jude Law’s Henry VIII through the wives’ eyes, September 6), we went to see the film.

Nathan mentions that the plot hinges on a necklace given to Anne Cleeves (sic). In the film, the recipient of the necklace is Anne Askew. By the time Henry was on wife number six, Katherine Parr, the wife in the centre of this story, Anne of Cleves, was most probably enjoying the jewellery that was part of her very generous divorce settlement.

Karen Flaum,

Wembley

We at AJEX are seeking surviving family of 19751 Pte Hyman Levy, Berkshire Reg., killed in August 1916 and buried at Vermelles in Pas de Calais.

The cross on his grave is wrong and we can change it to a Star of David if we get evidence.

He was was son of Jacob and Kate (nee Solomonick) from Russia. His siblings were Mary, Barnet and Philip and the family lived in Tarling Street in Whitechapel.

Philip had 2 children Barbara and Alan born in 1940s.

Will anyone who is a member of this family or knows them, please contact martin.sugarman@yahoo.co.uk urgently

Martin Sugarman

AJEX Archivist