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Sadiq Khan declines to comment on exclusions at Hornsey school

The disciplinary action was taken last week after students protested in support of Palestine, reports Olivia Opara

Hornsey School for Girls (credit Google)
Hornsey School for Girls (credit Google)

The mayor of London Sadiq Khan has declined to comment on recent disciplinary action taken by a school in Hornsey after students protested in support of Palestine.

On Thursday, 9th November, Khan visited Hornsey School for Girls to take part in a workshop session with year eleven students to discuss ways in which to tackle antisemitism and Islamophobia. The session was hosted by an interfaith programme, StandUp!, and the mayor was joined by Haringey council leader Peray Ahmet and cabinet member for children, schools and families Zena Brabazon. 

StandUp! facilitates a range of presentations and workshops with young people to help educate young Londoners on the dangers of hateful narratives and negative stereotypes of Jews and Muslims.

During the session, students and facilitators from StandUp! spoke about why the response to Israel-Gaza conflict should not manifest as islamophobia and antisemitism here in London and were given advice and first-hand lived experience on the specific topics of antisemitism and Islamophobia. 

The session took place at Hornsey school following the exclusion of students last week after they made pro-Palestine protests

HCP approached the mayor of London’s office to ask whether he supported disciplinary action taken by the school. The mayor declined to comment.

A spokesperson for the mayor of London did however say: “The mayor was delighted to meet brilliant young people at a school in Hornsey last week where they learnt about islamophobia and antisemitism, thanks to funding from City Hall’s record £3m Shared Endeavour Fund.

“London is united against all forms of hate and the mayor is clear that he will do all he can to continue bringing people together and supporting faith leaders and communities as we build a safer London for everyone.”

In a video, Cllr Ahmet said: “I know that events in the Middle East is having a profound and direct effect on many of our residents here in Haringey. I also know that many of us are worried about the increasing antisemitism and islamophobia here in the UK.

“We’re really clear here in Haringey that we have zero tolerance for antisemitism, Islamophobia or any kind of hate.”


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