Antisemitic incidents are at a record high on campus. These five unis are where it’s the worst

Cases have gone up by 59 per cent in a year

2 years ago

Antisemitic incidents across UK universities have reached a record high, with 111 cases reported this academic year alone, according to research carried out by CST- a charity dedicated to fighting antisemitism.

This stands in comparison to the 70 cases recorded during the previous 2019-2020 period: a 59 per cent jump which represents the highest annual total since it began in 2002.

Warwick and Bristol topped the list for the highest amount of antisemitic incidents reported, 11 each, followed by 10 at UCL, nine at Oxford and eight at Birmingham, which has one of the highest Jewish student populations.

In response to these record highs, the Education Secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, has ordered a high-priority summit on campus antisemitism to tackle these increasing figures.

The gathering of representatives from the Union of Jewish Students (UJS), Universities UK, the National Union of Students and the Office for Students, will be hosted by Universities Minister Michelle Donelan to examine what can be done to make Jewish students feel safe.

According to CST, of the 11 cases which took place at Bristol University, all but one took place in February, when Professor David Miller made remarks about Israel which ultimately led to his dismissal.

CST also said that the recent spike in cases was largely down to responses to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in May when 64 incidents took place.

All nine of the incidents reported at Oxford were in May, during Israel’s conflict with Hamas.

Other incidents include a student at UCL who was sent a death threat along with a picture of herself photoshopped under a guillotine and another at Royal Holloway University which saw an Israel flag with a swastika in the centre stuck onto a uni building.

Nadhim Zahawi has been very vocal about the importance of stamping out antisemitism on campus lately, particularly after visiting Holocaust sites in Poland, earlier this month.

Only yesterday I visited Auschwitz, and that experience has left me even more determined to ensure that the evil of antisemitism is driven out of our campuses and classrooms. Education is our vaccine against anti-Jewish hate. (3/3)

— Nadhim Zahawi (@nadhimzahawi) November 10, 2021

A spokesman for CST said: “This record high for university-related antisemitic incidents, and the fact they have risen for the fourth year in a row, should ring alarm bells for everyone in the higher education sector.

“Universities need to be doing much more to ensure their complaints processes are fit for purpose and that Jewish students get the necessary support when they suffer antisemitism.”

Warwick University, who has the joint highest number of antisemitic incidents reported, told Jewish News: “We do not tolerate any form of discrimination. Antisemitism is abhorrent, and runs contrary to everything we stand for as a University.

“We are committed to working in close partnership with our whole community to ensure everyone feels safe, valued and respected. Anyone found guilty of expressing antisemitic views will face sanctions, which may include expulsion or withdrawal from the university.”

They added: “We strongly encourage any student or member of our community who wishes to make a complaint or allegation of antisemitism to use our report and support service so that we can take action and support them.”