Starmer’s visit comes in the aftermath of UJS’s shocking Time for Change report, earlier this month which revealed that one in five UK university students would be reluctant to share their house with a Jew and that one in 10 say that Holocaust denial or minimisation is not antisemitic.
At the roundtable facilitated by UJS, the prime minister spoke about the disturbing statistics their report revealed and was keen to hear directly from students affected.
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The prime minister with Jewish students in Birmingham at a mock seder (Image: UJS).[Missing Credit]
Some shared their experiences of antisemitism in student spaces while others spoke about wider fears of rising extremism on campus.
Miriam Krygier, Birmingham JSoc President told the prime minister how she had become aware and concerned about “’looking Jewish’ around campus”, sharing that she had often thought twice about “sharing that I'm Jewish”.
Starmer agreed with her that students should never have to be hesitant to be outwardly proud of their identity at university.
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The prime minister with Jewish students in Birmingham (Image: UJS)[Missing Credit]
Krygier continued: “It is reassuring to know that my voice as a Jewish student is being listened to. Jewish students will continue to defend our right to live proud Jewish lives on campus and to create meaningful opportunities to share our traditions and values.”
Commenting after the visit, UJS President Louis Dankner said: “There are two stories of Jewish life on campus: one of Jewish pride, joy and resilience, and one of significant challenges. At UJS, we felt it important to share both stories with the prime minister.”
He continued: “We need the full weight of government to implement in full the recommendations in our Time for Change report, and we were grateful to put this case to the prime minister this week. We will continue to campaign against hatred and showcase proud, thriving Jewish life on campus.”
The trip to Birmingham was not the first example of the prime minister making a visit to hear directly the experiences of a local Jewish community.
In November last year, Starmer made a visit to Bushey United Synagogue where, for two hours, he listened to members of the local community from all ages and backgrounds speak about the prejudice they have faced.
“All of the experiences were different in different environments, but all had one theme: which was antisemitism. And it was very important for me to hear that. They gave up their time, for me to hear that, and I've undertaken to them that that will be something I will mull over, take away, and see what more we can do,” he told the JC after the visit, adding: “What I was most struck by was the fact that this is a cultural issue where too many people, too many Jewish people in this country, feel that somehow they've got to be hiding an identity that they're proud of because of what is happening to them, and that is intolerable, and I will work with them and others to make sure that the United Kingdom is placed where they feel safe and secure, as they have done in the past and need to in the future.”
