Education union conference hosts ‘October 7 was a bright day’ speaker
A PALESTINIAN speaker at the National Education Union’s conference posted a statement praising the October 7 attack as a “bright day” and calling for Arab governments to support the “Palestinian resistance”.
Saed Erziqat, who leads the General Union of Palestinian Teachers (GUPT), has previously compared Israel to Nazi Germany and praised the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, which was designated as a terror group by the European Union and the US, the JC reported last year.
A week after Hamas attacked Israel and slaughtered hundreds of civilians, the Palestinian activist posted a statement on Facebook praising Hamas for renewing the “Islamic nation” with “the water of hope”.
Last Thursday, Erziqat addressed the annual event alongside the NEU’s controversial General Secretary Daniel Kebede and President Emma Rose.
During the conference, a divisive motion labelling Israel an “apartheid state” and the “main driver” of the conflict in Gaza was passed.
Kebede, who was elected head of the NEU in 2023, urged a rally to “globalise the intifada” in 2021.
In February last year, the JC revealed that the NEU had supported and provided “financial aid” to the GUPT, despite the Palestinian union’s record of showing support for terrorists.
The statement posted by Erziqat said: “After decades of worshipping, and abolished from arrogance, the intrusive Zionist enemy thought that his ability and power, and that his iron dome, his immune fortress and spies, and his advanced technology, prevented him from pursuing blood curses, came the morning of October 7.
“A bright day written with letters of honour and fatherhood in the record of the Palestinian strong resistance.
“The water of hope has flowed through the body of the Islamic nation with ‘Al-Aqsa Flood’, the veins were moistened with it, consciences were refreshed, and the reward was received for resisting the awakening of concerns, and the satisfaction of our people that the restoration of the occupied lands is possible if there is will and efforts are combined.”
The statement, signed by a string of Mauritanian unions, demanded that, “Arab and Islamic governments… supply the viable Palestinian resistance with money and equipment it needs, to do its duty”.
The GUPT posted a separate statement on Facebook that said: “We emphasise the right of the Palestinians to resist the occupation and counter its aggression and violation of Palestinian national rights.”
It added: “We condemn the complicity of some countries and their partnership in aggression against our people, especially America, Germany, France, Britain and Italy, with the occupying entity claiming the right to self-defence.”
Appearing alongside Erziqat, Kebede hailed the NEU’s longstanding ties with the Palestinian teachers union led by him.
“I’m also very pleased to see our friends from the GUPT and [childrens’ rights NGO] DCI Palestine here,” he said.
“The NEU’s relationship with these two organisations is very special to us and we are proud to continue to support your vital work.”
The NEU conference event, hosted by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, was held to discuss
Israel’s
“genocidal assault on the Palestinian people”.
“With over 32,000 Palestinians killed, including 13,000 children, we need to stop Israel’s onslaught on Gaza, and end the Israeli system of apartheid and oppression,” its description read.
Former education minister Robert Halfon said: “Perhaps the NEU should concentrate on teaching and education. No wonder some Jewish members have left the NEU.”
Erziqat previously compared Israel to Nazi Germany, saying: “There are massacres that have happened to the Palestinian
Perhaps the NEU should concentrate on teaching and education
people that were worse than the Holocaust itself.”
He has also voice support for the AlAqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, which has been designated as a terror group by the EU and America.
The Palestinian union chief has also met the leaders of another Iranianbacked terror group, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine – General Command (PFLP-GC), which is outlawed by the EU and the US.
NEU members have taken several trips to the West Bank to meet Erziqat and the GUPT.
These cost £2,000 per delegate, of which £1,000 is covered by the body’s international solidarity fund, according to union records.
An NEU spokesman told the JC: “The General Secretary of the GUPT has been invited to the NEU conference to address the impact of the ongoing conflict in Gaza on children, teachers and education…
“At our annual conference we have heard from a number of speakers from countries around the world on the challenges facing children and teachers.
“Children in Israel and in Palestine all deserve to be able to play, live and learn safely.
“Education has completely stopped for Gaza’s 625,000 children for almost six months now.
“The NEU has also been unequivocal in its condemnation of the abhorrent attacks and hostage takings carried out by Hamas on 7 October.”
The GUPT and Erziqat did not respond to a request for comment.