Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has intensified calls for universities across the UK to implement firm measures to protect Jewish students from harassment and antisemitism, a response catalysed by the recent terror attack outside a synagogue in Manchester. The attack, which occurred on Yom Kippur and resulted in the deaths of two worshippers, Adrian Daulby and Melvin Cravitz, has further spotlighted the urgent need to address rising antisemitic incidents on campuses and beyond.

Phillipson has directly written to university vice-chancellors urging them to take "practical and proportionate steps" to safeguard Jewish students, balancing this with the preservation of lawful free speech and peaceful protest. The Department for Education (DfE) announced plans to deliver some 600 staff training sessions, led by the Union of Jewish Students, designed to help university employees identify harassment and hate while fostering open and respectful debate on campuses. This initiative forms part of a broader £7 million funding package aimed at combating antisemitism in education, including training thousands of teachers in combating misinformation online.

This government push follows warnings from the Office for Students, the higher education regulator, that universities may face regulatory action if they fail to protect Jewish students from harassment, especially in light of pro-Palestinian demonstrations held around the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel. Arif Ahmed, director of free speech at the watchdog, has affirmed readiness to intervene if universities do not meet their responsibilities.

Statistically, antisemitic incidents in Britain have reached alarming levels. Over 3,500 incidents were recorded last year, the second-highest in the country's modern history, with Jewish individuals experiencing the highest rate of religious hate crimes in England and Wales. University campuses have seen an even more dramatic rise; antisemitic incidents surged by 465% in early 2024 compared to the previous year. These figures are corroborated by investigations such as that by The Jewish Chronicle, which revealed distressing reports from Jewish students about bomb threats, assaults, and incessant slurs, painting a deeply disturbing picture of their daily experiences.

Universities have been urged to manage protests in ways that allow full participation of all students while preventing repeated demonstrations that become intrusive or disruptive. Phillipson plans to convene a high-level roundtable involving university leaders, policing bodies, faith groups, and regulatory agencies to ensure that campuses remain cohesive spaces where all students feel safe and supported.

Beyond Britain, similar patterns of rising campus antisemitism are drawing concern internationally. In the US, escalating antisemitic rhetoric linked to pro-Palestinian protests has prompted threats to withhold federal funding from universities accused of tolerating such hate speech.

Phillipson has expressed unequivocal resolve: “Antisemitism is a poison that must be torn out from our schools, colleges and universities by its roots. I will not allow hatred to deter students from their education.” She emphasised that while lawful protest must be respected, there is no place for harassment or intimidation in educational institutions. “One instance of antisemitic abuse is one too many,” she said, stressing that the responsibility ultimately lies with universities to eradicate hate from their environments.

Additional pressure comes from surveys showing Jewish students and staff feeling intimidated and unsafe, with many describing fear of being "visibly Jewish" on campus due to overt hostility. Some have even considered withdrawing from UK universities or seeking alternatives elsewhere.

Phillipson’s initiatives include collaboration with Jewish community organisations such as the University Jewish Chaplaincy and Union of Jewish Students, alongside calls for universities to work closely with police to stamp out unlawful antisemitic abuse.

The government’s comprehensive approach encompasses funding for education, training, policy enforcement, and dialogue with stakeholders. Yet, the effectiveness of these measures will hinge on the commitment of universities to deploy their powers fully and foster environments where all students can thrive free from hate and intimidation.

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Source: Noah Wire Services