A leading Orthodox rabbi believes Jewish students do not have the "backbone" to tackle anti-Israel activity on campuses.

Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet said the Union of Jewish Students "must stop playing the victim" and unite against "radicalism and fundamentalism" at British universities.

The Union of Jewish Students is to launch a "radical, progressive" campaign, encouraging students to speak up for the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians.

Jewish students arriving at universities in the next fortnight will be asked to pledge their support to "two states for two peoples", hand out Israeli and Palestinian flags, and support "freedom, justice and equality" for all.

Nick Griffin has been invited to speak at a Trinity College Dublin event.

A university spokeswoman confirmed that the British National Party leader is set to appear at a Philosophical Society meeting on October 20.

School leavers waiting to find out their A Level results this week are being offered free advice from the Union of Jewish Students.

UJS has launched a "Uni hotline" service to help 18-year-old's resolve issues related to university life, from kosher food provision to insights into the Jewish community on specific campuses.

The British Ambassador to Israel has questioned the image of university campuses in this country being "hotbeds of anti-Israel sentiment".

Matthew Gould cautioned that such an image was false and emphasised the importance of not overstating the problem and putting off Israeli students from studying in the UK.

Grassroots supporters of Israel are rallying to defend the country from the "assault on its legitimacy" in Britain, according to the man tasked with co-ordinating a new advocacy project.

Steven Jaffe said community groups were now increasingly running their own letter-writing campaigns, sharing successful ideas, and co-ordinating media appearances.

After May's We Believe in Israel conference