Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has asserted that universities must take decisive action to safeguard Jewish students from harassment and discrimination on campuses, outlining specific measures to combat antisemitism.
Phillipson stated there had been an “unacceptable increase in antisemitism” within university settings and expressed concern that many Jewish students currently do not feel secure on campus.
She affirmed the UK government’s commitment to funding training programs aimed at assisting university staff and students in “tackling this poison of antisemitism”.
“There can be no place for harassment and intimidation,” Phillipson declared during an appearance on BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme. “Universities can and must act on that.”
Also speaking on the programme, Conservative shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel urged the Labour government to address antisemitism in the UK with greater resolve, including what she described as “hate marches where people are being so racist to the Jewish community”.
Patel argued that “hatred” was evident on the streets of London on Saturday, where thousands of protesters convened for a rally in support of Palestinians.
Prior to the march, organisers conveyed their intention to demonstrate solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Universities have also been the site of regular protests regarding the conflict in Gaza, including commemorations of the second anniversary of the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel earlier this week.
These protests occurred despite appeals from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who cautioned students against participating, citing “rising antisemitism on our streets”.
The demonstrations followed a terrorist attack at a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, resulting in the deaths of two Jewish men.
A report by the Community Security Trust, an organization providing security for synagogues and Jewish schools, revealed a 117% surge in antisemitic incidents on university campuses during the 2022/23 and 2023/2024 academic years compared to the preceding two years.
Phillipson shared accounts from Jewish students who felt compelled to conceal their identity.
“On campus, Jewish students don’t feel safe,” she stated. “And often, parents worry about sending their children to university. We cannot accept that. There can be no place for it.”
The education secretary indicated she had communicated with university vice-chancellors, urging them to implement measures to protect Jewish students from harassment.
The government announced that the Union of Jewish Students will conduct 600 training sessions to equip university staff with the skills to support students and identify harassment and hate.
A £4m fund will be allocated to projects designed to educate pupils and students on identifying online misinformation and fostering interfaith understanding.
In a separate initiative, £2m will be invested in a scheme to educate secondary school pupils in England about the Holocaust – the genocide of Jews during World War Two.
Patel emphasized the Conservatives’ support for the right to protest and freedom of expression.
However, Patel told Laura Kuenssberg that the pro-Palestinian marches in London were “ugly protests” that demonstrated “division and hatred” within society.
“Look at what happened on the streets of London yesterday. Look at the level of hatred that was demonstrated on the streets of London to Britain’s Jewish community,” she said.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in central London on Saturday, alongside a smaller contingent of pro-Israeli counter-protesters.
The director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, one of the march’s organizers, affirmed its unwavering support for Palestinians.
Ben Jamal stated: “This is a movement supported by millions of people in this country and around the world who want freedom and justice for Palestine.”
During the march, which took place a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas commenced in Gaza, slogans such as “stop arming Israel” and “free Palestine” were visible.
The Metropolitan Police reported 14 arrests for offenses including breaches of the Public Order Act, affray, and supporting a proscribed group.
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