Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has called on UK universities to implement swift measures amidst a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents on campuses, driven by recent Middle East conflicts and amplified by government funding initiatives to promote safety and understanding.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has called on universities in the UK to take urgent action to protect Jewish students from harassment and discrimination, highlighting an "unacceptable increase in antisemitism" on campuses. Speaking on BBC One's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Phillipson emphasised that Jewish students often do not feel safe, with some feeling the need to conceal their identity. The Education Secretary warned that such a climate is intolerable, stating, "There can be no place for harassment and intimidation." She has urged university vice-chancellors to implement practical and proportionate steps to safeguard Jewish students, amid a worrying rise in antisemitic incidents.
The call to action follows a sharp escalation in antisemitic incidents documented at British universities. The Community Security Trust (CST) reported a 117% increase in such incidents over the last two academic years, with 325 incidents recorded in 2022/23 and 2023/24 combined—compared to 150 incidents between 2020 and 2022. The 272 incidents recorded in 2023/24 represent the highest annual total ever recorded by CST. This surge has largely been attributed to a wave of anti-Jewish hostility following the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The rise in campus antisemitism is part of a broader trend. Government data shows the number of antisemitic abuse incidents nationwide has more than doubled in the first five months of 2024 compared to the previous year. Campus-specific incidents have soared by an alarming 465%. According to Reuters, the government is pressing universities to utilise all available tools to combat this form of hate, with Phillipson having directly written to university leaders demanding increased measures to enhance student safety, particularly in the wake of a recent terrorist attack outside a Manchester synagogue during Yom Kippur.
To tackle this growing problem, the government is investing significant resources into education and training initiatives. A £7 million fund is being allocated to combat antisemitism across schools, colleges, and universities, aimed at both raising awareness and equipping institutions to respond effectively to incidents. This includes funding for the Union of Jewish Students to deliver 600 training sessions for university staff and students to identify and confront antisemitism. Additionally, a £4 million project is underway to promote interfaith understanding and teach young people to spot misinformation online. Separate funding of £2 million supports Holocaust education in secondary schools.
Further programmes also aim to deepen awareness of antisemitism and its historical context. The Holocaust Educational Trust and the Union of Jewish Students have received £144,261 to run an initiative involving visits to Auschwitz-Birkenau for university students and leaders. On their return, participants engage in seminars focusing on campus-specific antisemitism issues and strategies for combatting hate. Alongside this, the government has announced a £500,000, three-year funding package to expand Holocaust education initiatives for universities, including opportunities for students, journalists, and academics to hear from survivors and visit former Nazi concentration camps.
The increase in antisemitic incidents has also sparked political debate. Conservative shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel condemned the Labour government for failing to adequately address antisemitism, highlighting recent protests in London where she described displays of hatred against Jewish communities. These protests, often linked to the conflict in Gaza, have frequently taken place on university campuses despite warnings from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer about the dangers of rising antisemitism on the streets. The tensions underscore the complexities universities face in balancing free expression with ensuring a safe environment for all students.
As the situation unfolds, government officials maintain that universities bear a crucial responsibility to protect Jewish students by enforcing robust anti-harassment policies and fostering an environment of mutual respect. The combined efforts of funding, education, training, and leadership engagement reflect a comprehensive approach to curbing the surge in antisemitism and ensuring that campuses remain safe, inclusive spaces for all.
📌 Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent developments, including Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson's call for universities to protect Jewish students from harassment and discrimination, and the reported 117% increase in antisemitic incidents over the last two academic years. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 7 October 2024, when the government announced £7 million to tackle antisemitism in education. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/7-million-to-tackle-antisemitism-in-education-confirmed?utm_source=openai)) The narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. Additionally, the narrative references a BBC article from 12 October 2023, indicating that similar concerns have been raised previously. ([bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/education-67089209?utm_source=openai)) The presence of multiple references to earlier reports suggests that the narrative may be republished across various platforms, potentially indicating recycled content. However, the inclusion of recent data and statements from the Education Secretary indicates an attempt to provide updated information. Overall, the freshness score is moderate due to the mix of new and recycled content.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, such as her statement, "There can be no place for harassment and intimidation." A search for the earliest known usage of this quote reveals that it was first reported in the BBC article dated 12 October 2023. ([bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/education-67089209?utm_source=openai)) The identical wording in earlier material suggests that the quote has been reused, which may indicate recycled content. However, the inclusion of this quote in the current narrative provides a direct link to the original source, enhancing the credibility of the information. Overall, the quotes score is high, with the caveat that the reuse of quotes may indicate recycled content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from reputable sources, including the BBC and the UK government's official website. The BBC is a well-established news organisation known for its journalistic standards, and the UK government's official website provides authoritative information. The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, is a verified public figure, and her statements are accessible through official government channels. The presence of direct quotes from her in the narrative further supports the reliability of the information. Overall, the source reliability score is excellent.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents plausible claims, such as the reported 117% increase in antisemitic incidents over the last two academic years and the government's £7 million funding to tackle antisemitism in education. These claims are supported by references to official government announcements and reports from reputable organisations like the Community Security Trust. The inclusion of direct quotes from the Education Secretary adds credibility to the narrative. However, the presence of recycled content and the reuse of quotes from earlier reports may raise questions about the originality of the information. Overall, the plausibility score is high, with the caveat that the reuse of content may indicate a lack of originality.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents recent developments regarding the government's actions to address antisemitism in UK universities, including funding initiatives and statements from the Education Secretary. However, the presence of recycled content, the reuse of quotes from earlier reports, and the inclusion of older material alongside updated data suggest that the narrative may not be entirely original. While the sources are reliable, the lack of originality and potential recycling of content raise concerns about the freshness and originality of the information. Therefore, the overall assessment is 'OPEN' with a medium confidence level.
