Universities across the UK are facing a stark reality: Jewish students are increasingly feeling unsafe and targeted by antisemitism. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is demanding immediate action, declaring that universities must step up to protect their Jewish students from harassment and discrimination. The situation has become so dire that many Jewish students feel compelled to hide their identity on campus, a chilling indication of the problem's depth. Parents are even hesitant to send their children to university, fearing for their safety.
Phillipson minced no words, stating that there has been an "unacceptable increase in antisemitism" at universities. "There can be no place for harassment and intimidation," she emphasized on BBC One's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg program, adding that universities have both the ability and the responsibility to address this issue head-on.
The government is putting its money where its mouth is, funding training programs designed to equip university staff and students with the tools to "tackle this poison of antisemitism." But here's where it gets controversial... Is training enough, or are more drastic measures needed to truly root out antisemitism on campuses?
Conservative shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel echoed these concerns, urging the Labour government to get a firm "gripping" on antisemitism across the UK. She specifically called out what she described as "hate marches where people are being so racist to the Jewish community." Patel argued that the demonstrations witnessed in London, particularly those supporting Palestinians, showcased a disturbing level of "hatred" directed at the Jewish community. She pointed to the mass rally in London the previous Saturday as a prime example of this animosity.
It's important to acknowledge that these pro-Palestinian protests often coincide with significant dates, such as the second anniversary of the horrific October 7th Hamas attack on Israel. Even Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pleaded with students to avoid participating in these demonstrations, citing concerns about "rising antisemitism on our streets." His plea came shortly after a devastating terrorist attack at a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, where two Jewish men lost their lives. These events create a tense and emotionally charged atmosphere.
And this is the part most people miss... A report by the Community Security Trust (CST) revealed a shocking 117% surge in antisemitic incidents on university campuses during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic years compared to the previous two years. This stark statistic underscores the urgency of the situation.
To address these concerns, Phillipson has personally written to university vice-chancellors, urging them to prioritize the safety and well-being of their Jewish students. The government is also investing in concrete solutions, including:
- Training Programs: The Union of Jewish Students will deliver 600 training sessions to university staff, helping them to better support students and identify instances of harassment and hate.
- £4 Million Fund: This fund will support projects aimed at teaching students how to identify misinformation online and foster interfaith understanding. A relevant example of such a project might include digital literacy workshops focused on identifying and debunking antisemitic conspiracy theories online.
- £2 Million Scheme: This initiative focuses on educating secondary school pupils in England about the Holocaust, the systematic genocide of Jews during World War II. This is vital to ensure that future generations understand the dangers of unchecked hatred and discrimination.
Patel, while emphasizing the Conservative party's commitment to the right to protest and freedom of expression, described the pro-Palestinian marches in London as "ugly protests" that revealed "division and hatred" within British society. She condemned the "level of hatred that was demonstrated on the streets of London to Britain's Jewish community."
During the Saturday march in London, which took place a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas was implemented, protesters chanted slogans such as "stop arming Israel" and "free Palestine." A small group of pro-Israeli counter-protesters also gathered. The Metropolitan Police reported 14 arrests for various offences, including breaching Public Order Act conditions, affray, and supporting a proscribed group.
The question remains: Are these measures enough to combat the rising tide of antisemitism on university campuses and beyond? Or do we need to fundamentally rethink how we address hatred and discrimination in our society? What more can universities proactively do to make Jewish students feel safe, secure and welcome? What is the right balance between freedom of expression and prevention of hate speech? Share your thoughts and perspectives in the comments below.
