School that blocked Jewish MP sacks diversity lead over Hamas ‘heroes’ posts
Bristol Academy Trust dismisses inclusion officer after social media remarks praising Hamas following 7 October attacks
A school trust that previously postponed a visit by a Jewish MP has dismissed a senior diversity staff member after she described Hamas as “heroes” in social media posts following the 7 October attacks.
Cabot Learning Federation, which oversees Bristol Brunel Academy, confirmed it had taken action after an investigation into comments made by inclusion and diversity co-ordinator Saima Akhtar.
The dismissal follows scrutiny first reported by The Times, which highlighted a series of posts written in the immediate aftermath of Hamas’s massacre in Israel, in which more than 1,200 people were killed.
In one post, Akhtar wrote: “This is an oppressed people standing up and fighting back… Heroes fighting for justice and their right to exist. Palestinians are no different. #FreePalestine.”
She also urged others to ignore what she described as “media attempts to paint Israel as a victim”, and later claimed that Western governments and mainstream media were the “real problem”, accusing them of enabling “ethnic cleansing and genocide”.
The controversy has renewed attention on the trust after Damien Egan, who is Jewish, had planned a visit to the academy postponed last year. The decision followed threats of protest from pro-Palestinian activists and union members, who cited “safeguarding concerns” and pointed to his role as vice-chair of Labour Friends of Israel.
Akhtar, who also sat on the school’s academy council, had publicly described her professional approach as “intersectional” and “trauma-informed”, emphasising inclusion across race, faith, gender identity and background.
In a statement, Cabot Learning Federation said it would not comment on individual cases but stressed that staff are expected to uphold its values at all times.
“The promotion of inclusion and rejection of discrimination are enshrined in the CLF’s core values,” a spokesperson said. “All of our staff are expected to embody these values in their behaviour – both inside and outside of school.”
The case comes amid wider concern within the Jewish community about the impact of online rhetoric following 7 October, particularly where individuals in public-facing or educational roles are involved.
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