Damning Report Exposes Widespread Antisemitism in UK Universities – Guido Fawkes

Damning Report Exposes Widespread Antisemitism in UK Universities

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A damning new report by StandWithUs UK has lifted the lid on the wave of antisemitism sweeping British universities since Hamas’ October 7 attacks. Testimonies from Jewish students across 14 universities paint a disturbing picture: threats, racism, and even swastikas, met with indifference or denial from campus authorities. StandWithUs UK also surveyed over 1,000 students across 20 universities and found:

• 64% of students could not call the October 7 attacks “terrorism.” Just 33% of students described it as a “terrorist attack”. Despite the government’s official designation of Hamas as a proscribed terrorist organisation…
• 29% of all students surveyed said they believe the October attacks were an “understandable act of resistance.”
• Among Russell Group university students, that figure rose to 38%.
• 38% of students agreed that students who publicly support Israel should “expect” abuse on campus. Just 31% of respondents clearly rejected that notion…

This afternoon, the House of Lords will debate antisemitism on campus. Keir Starmer has said: “Antisemitism is completely abhorrent. It has no place whatsoever in our society.” If he means it, he might want to read the report’s recommendations:

• Recognise the link between anti-Zionism and antisemitism
• Establish institutional responsibility and consequences
• Expel students and academic staff who promote or incite hate and violence
• Launch a public inquiry into campus antisemitism
• Review student union conduct and programming
• Engage Jewish students in policy creation

The report is backed by cross-party support: Labour’s Baroness Hodge, Baroness Ramsay, and Lord Turnberg; Tory MPs Bob Blackman and Greg Smith; Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine; and crossbench peer Baroness Deech and non-affiliated peer Lord Austin. Greg Smith tells Guido:

“StandWithUs UK’s report paints a grim picture of what Jewish and pro-Israel students have endured for too long on our university campuses. It’s no surprise that university authorities have lost control or perhaps never tried to take seriously this issue seriously, but to hear the pain in the voice of these students hits hard. It is high-time that the Government intervened and ensured anti-Jewish racism was treated with the same no nonsense approach as all other forms of discrimination”

Read the report in full below: