British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called upon university leaders on Thursday to address the concerning increase in antisemitic incidents and disruptions to learning in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Sunak and his ministers are scheduled to meet with university vice-chancellors to advocate for a zero-tolerance approach towards antisemitic behavior across all campuses, as stated by Downing Street.
The government emphasized the importance of fostering robust debate while maintaining an environment free from hate speech, harassment, or violence.
“Universities should be hubs of intellectual discourse while also upholding values of tolerance and respect for every member of their community,” remarked Sunak. He highlighted the disruptive impact of a vocal minority on campuses, stressing the need to halt harassment and antisemitic abuse.
The upcoming meeting aims to inform forthcoming government guidance on combating antisemitism within university settings.
Additionally, the Office for Students (OfS) has committed to releasing the outcomes of its consultation on a proposed new registration condition. This condition could empower the OfS to impose penalties where universities fail to address harassment adequately, including incidents of antisemitic abuse.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan affirmed the government’s stance on addressing antisemitism, emphasizing the need for universities to take decisive action and ensure protests do not unduly disrupt campus life.
Last year’s Budget allocated an additional GBP 7 million to combat antisemitic abuse in educational institutions. Of this, GBP 500,000 will be allocated to support the University Jewish Chaplaincy, which aids Jewish students facing incidents of antisemitism and intimidation.
The Union of Jewish Students (UJS) has voiced concerns about the “toxic environment” experienced by Jewish students nationwide. According to the UK’s Communities Security Trust, university-related antisemitic incidents rose by 203% between 2022 and 2023.
Ministers underscored the importance of universities taking swift disciplinary action against students inciting racial hatred or violence, including involving law enforcement where necessary.
Education Secretary Keegan outlined government expectations for the support provided to Jewish students in a letter to Vice-Chancellors, with representatives from the Union of Jewish Students slated to attend Thursday’s roundtable discussion.
This initiative coincides with the emergence of protests on a few UK university campuses regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, mirroring similar demonstrations seen on US campuses.
