East London school asks 11-year-olds to fast for Gaza appeal
- A secondary school in East London has set up a hunger strike to raise funds for UNICEF's Gaza Appeals.
- The initiative has faced backlash from some Jewish families concerned about the impact on their children.
- The school defends the event as voluntary and a response to student voices while addressing any discrimination seriously.
In East London, George Green's School has initiated a hunger strike encouraging students as young as 11 to fast for over seven hours to raise money for UNICEF's Gaza Appeal, slated for December 13. The event has sparked controversy as it reportedly makes Jewish families feel unwelcome, with concerns expressed about the stigma associated with not participating in the strike. One anonymous Jewish parent voiced that the move was stigmatising for Jewish students, suggesting it fosters a sense of shame and positions Judaism negatively within the school community. The principal, Jon Ryder, pointed out that this event was organized in response to student feedback and follows a similar event from the previous year which successfully raised significant funds for the cause. Ryder emphasized the voluntary nature of the fast and reaffirmed the school's commitment to addressing any form of discrimination, stating that they take such acts seriously and are ready to investigate concerns in line with their behavior policy. The school promotes itself as a Unicef Gold Award Rights Respecting School and encourages their community to assist with much needed resources to families in Gaza, claiming 66 percent of its students are classified as deprived and speak English as a second language. This situation exemplifies broader tensions surrounding the Gaza conflict and how it is reflected in educational institutions, highlighting the complex intersection of activism, education, and community dynamics.