Hundreds of students, staff and locals held at the University of Essex a rally of support for the Jewish community after hundreds voted to oppose the creation of a Jewish Society.

The display of solidarity was called as part of a series of steps the university has taken after more than 200 students voted against the creation of the society for Jewish students.

The vote, held on the Students’ Union’s website, was cancelled while still underway and the vice chancellor intervened to say the J-Soc would be created.

Dr Maaruf Ali, a computer science lecturer, was later suspended by the university after his opposition to the establishment of the J-soc drew attention to allegedly antisemitic material he shared on social media.

Speakers at the rally in Colchester included the university’s Vice Chancellor Professor Anthony Forster; the president of the Students’ Union, Tanki Chartier; and Essex J-Soc president Amy-Julie Fogiel.

A message from House of Commons Speaker John Bercow, a Jewish alumnus and the university's current Chancellor, was also read to the approximately 500-strong crowd.

Prof Forster said: “We are a university that must live by our values and the events of last week have called into question our commitment to these values.

“It is right that the Jewish Society has now been formed... 

“Today we have come together to show that antisemitism is completely antithetical to the values of the University of Essex – and it has absolutely no place on our campuses and in our relationships with each other.

“Antisemitism will not end simply because we stood together on this day at this time to oppose it. What coming together achieves is a public show of solidarity and support, making clear what we stand for.

“It is another step in demonstrating our values and our support for all our Jewish students and staff. Each and every one of our community needs to ensure that by our actions, the lived experience of Jewish people at our University is one of which we can be proud.”