One of London’s leading headteachers has urged students with families in Gaza and Israel not to hold each other responsible for the violence, saying “none of us are enemies.”
James Handscombe, executive head of both Harris Westminster and Harris Clapham sixth forms, called on students to ensure their interactions are “filled with kindness” as he addressed the conflict in an assembly on British values.
Speaking to students aged between 16 and 18 in Westminster, he said: “I know it must be difficult for those of you with friends and families in Gaza or Israel not to hold each other responsible for what’s going on – but none of us in London are to blame.”
He added: "None of us are to blame, none of us deserve to be attacked, to be made more miserable. We need mutual respect and tolerance to get to peace – and not just of different religions, but of different views of all kinds.”
It is the second time this year Mr Handscombe has spoken about the issue in assembly – last week in Clapham he admitted he was nervous speaking about it but said some students specifically requested that he did so.
It comes after the National Association of Headteachers issued guidance to school leaders urging them to ensure students understand the Israel-Gaza conflict is a topic that can be discussed openly and “with tolerance for opposing views.”
Mr Handscombe called on leaders and students to take inspiration from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who led the Truth and Reconciliation commission in South Africa which examined the human rights abuses of apartheid.
He said: “Maybe the world needs another Desmond Tutu, someone who would use their freedom to speak out, to campaign, to demonstrate, and to remonstrate against revenge, violence,hatred.
He said Archbishop Tutu worked for a future rather than for retributive justice, adding: “What if those in power today placed peace above revenge – rather than 100 prisoners for a hostage or 20 deaths for one; rather than an eye for an eye, what if Hamas and Israel committed to truth and reconciliation – an acceptance that wrongs have been done, forgiveness, restitution, and a shared commitment to a better future.”
He called on students to talk about the issues, but “be gentle” in disagreements, and remember that for some teenagers at the school the issues are very personal, and that others feel it is too fraught to express their views.
He said he hoped students would come away from the assemblies determined to work for peace and seeking common ground “rather than division, to accept that disagreement doesn’t make enemies out of us.”
He said the assembly was an “act of trust” in the maturity, generosity, kindness and honesty of his students, adding: “Please read and think and listen and talk – ask questions – but do so kindly, none of us here are enemies.”
