Private school attended by Jonathan Ross and Gaby Roslin is rocked by antisemitism scandal after graffiti saying ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ was daubed in the girls’ toilets

A prestigious private school long favoured by celebrity parents has been rocked by an antisemitism scandal after graffiti including the phrase ‘from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ was daubed in the girls’ toilets.

The headmaster at the £20,000 per year King Alfred School in Golders Green, North London, confirmed that an on-going investigation has been launched after the ‘deeply upsetting and offensive’ phrase which ‘for many it is seen as advocating the destruction of the State of Israel’ was discovered along with other graffiti this week.

In an email to parents, headteacher Robert Lobatto stressed that the school, whose past pupils include television presenters Jonathan Ross and Gaby Roslin and the actress Zoë Wanamaker, ‘must be a safe space for everyone, and this graffiti made it feel unsafe.’

£20,000 per year King Alfred School in Golders Green, North London , confirmed that an on-going investigation has been launched about a ‘deeply upsetting and offensive’ phrase

He added: ‘We removed the graffiti as soon as it was discovered and have been investigating who was responsible. The investigation remains ongoing.

‘The phrase is deeply upsetting and offensive to many in our community and beyond. Whilst it is open to more than one interpretation, for many it is seen as advocating the destruction of the State of Israel.

‘We are not immune to the wider currents in society. We know that this phrase has been used on the marches that have taken place through London, on social media, and was recently projected on to the Elizabeth Tower outside the Houses of Parliament.’

While he said he recognised that debate and discussion was vital and must be encouraged, ‘it has to come from a place of education and views must be expressed in appropriate ways, with sensitivity and mutual respect.’

The head said the investigation would mean everyone in the Upper School would be spoken to next week. King Alfreds is renowned for its liberal approach to education, with pupils calling teachers by their first names. It is currently the choice of several celebrity parents to educate their kids.

Jonathan Ross, who attended the school, pictured here on March 4 at the Oscars

The head admitted in Friday’s email that issues around the conflict in Gaza had occurred in other schools. He wrote: ‘Speaking with fellow Headteachers, this issue remains challenging for all schools, and we will continue to work hard to navigate it as effectively as we can.’

Jewish communal leaders have repeatedly called for tougher action from the government and from police over the use of the chant ‘From The River To The Sea.’

Organisers of the near weekly pro-Palestine demos have attempted to defend the use of the chant saying it is merely a call for a Palestinian state.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman was among those to brand the chant antisemitic. Rishi Sunak branded those using the chant as ‘dangerously misinformed.’

Mr Lobatto acknowledged that there had been a single incident of graffiti discovered in the school this week, which was immediately removed.

‘Speaking with fellow Headteachers, the Israel-Gaza conflict is an ongoing challenge for all schools. We are working with our whole community – students, parents and staff- to navigate the situation as effectively as we can.’