Education Secretary ‘disturbed’ by campus antisemitism revealed by JC

The Education Secretary has condemned high levels of Jew hate on British campuses following the JC’s reporting about Jewish students that have experienced antisemitism at university.

Bridget Phillipson called the JC’s investigation into the Jewish experience on campus “deeply disturbing” and “appalling.”

The informal survey - conducted between December 2023 and January 2024 in collaboration with the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) - collected responses from more than 200 Jewish students at universities in the UK.

It revealed shocking levels of anti-Jewish hostility on campus, including assaults, bomb threats and antisemitic slurs.

Jewish students reported being physically attacked, called “Nazis” and “baby killers,” and stalked after having lunch with a rabbi. One student was beaten up in a nightclub after being recognised as Jewish.

Other incidents reported included being blamed for “killing Jesus”, targeted with a Hitler salute, and having bacon stuck onto their university halls' door.

The secretary of state said: “The findings of this survey are deeply disturbing, and it is appalling that Jewish students feel unable to participate fully in university life.

“Each instance of antisemitic abuse is a stark reminder that we still have a long way to go in combating antisemitism in our society.”

Phillipson reaffirmed her department’s commitment to tackling Jew hate on campus, vowing to “stamp out hatred wherever it occurs.”

In October, Phillipson pledged £7 million to fight antisemitism in schools, colleges, and universities. An additional £500,000 will go to the University Jewish Chaplaincy to support student welfare.