Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of Britain is taking a stand against rising antisemitism on college campuses, calling on university leaders to do more to combat the issue. In a meeting with vice chancellors from prominent universities, Mr. Sunak’s office highlighted the escalating antisemitic abuse towards Jewish students in the U.K.
While Britain has not experienced the same level of unrest seen on American campuses, small-scale protest encampments have recently sprung up around universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Newcastle, Leeds, and Manchester. These encampments, set up by students protesting the war in Gaza, have raised concerns about the safety and well-being of Jewish students on campus.
The Union of Jewish Students, representing 9,000 Jewish students across Britain and Ireland, has expressed worries about the hostile atmosphere created by these encampments. Data from the Community Security Trust shows a significant increase in college-related antisemitic incidents in 2023, prompting the government to take action.
Mr. Sunak’s office emphasized the importance of universities taking immediate disciplinary action against students inciting racial hatred or violence. The government plans to provide new guidance on combating antisemitism on campus and may empower the Office for Students to impose penalties on universities failing to address harassment effectively.
While some Jewish students have reported experiencing antisemitic comments at protests, others have expressed support for the pro-Palestinian encampments. The Cambridge University Jewish Society has increased its support for students, offering mental health events and movie nights to help alleviate anxiety.
Professor Deborah Prentice, the vice chancellor of Cambridge, reiterated the university’s commitment to freedom of speech and the right to protest within the law. She emphasized the university’s zero-tolerance policy towards antisemitism, Islamophobia, and any form of racial or religious hatred on campus.
As the government and university leaders work together to address antisemitism and ensure the safety of all students, the issue remains a pressing concern that requires immediate action and collaboration within the academic community.
