UK
Academics launch survey on campus antisemitism
Research comes after Jew-hate spiked in the wake of the October 7 attack
June 6, 2024 11:46
Research comes after Jew-hate spiked in the wake of the October 7 attack
June 6, 2024 11:46Academics have launched a survey to examine the experience of Jewish students at British universities amid rising antisemitism in the wake of the October 7 attack.
It comes as the Union of Jewish Students releases a video in which its members insist “enough is enough” and that higher education leaders must do more to tackle bigotry on campus.
UJS President Edward Isaacs said: “Jewish students have endured a year like no other, facing the worst campus antisemitism crisis in a generation.
“After eight months, Jewish students have had enough. It is imperative that university leaders understand, condemn, and act against antisemitism. Now.”
The Jewish survey was announced earlier this week by the UJS in partnership with the Intra-Communal Professorial Group (ICPG), a body composed of dozens of academics from across Britain.
They have urged students to fill in a form online detailing their experience of antisemitism to help university bosses decide how respond.
Odeliya Lanir Zafir, director of the ICPG said: “A key part of our mission is to work with university leaders and policy makers to address antisemitism and improve the campus environment for Jewish students.
"The data gathered from this survey is absolutely critical in enabling us to have a full and statistically sound picture of the reality of life on campus for Jewish students.
“We are urging students to take 10 to 15 minutes to respond to these questions so that we can best represent their experiences in our engagement with university administrators and stakeholders. Every student who participates and shares their voice will be making an impact.”
We've Had Enough. Jewish students have had enough.
— Union of Jewish Students (@UJS_UK) June 4, 2024
WATCH NOW - PLEASE SHARE pic.twitter.com/UkvufYaHNu
Chair Anthony Julius said: “We formed the ICPG in response to the increasing levels of hostility and fear to which Jewish students and staff have been subjected in recent months at universities across the UK.
"We are dedicated to researching and understanding the presence and impact of antisemitism on university campuses. This survey forms a vital part of our research and will enable us to devise actionable, effective strategies to ensure a safe and secure environment for all students.”
The survey comes after a letter written by the UJS calling on higher education bosses to act against rising Jew-hate on campus was signed by thousands of current and former Jewish students.
"We’ve had enough,” it said. "October 7th will forever haunt the collective memory of the Jewish people. For some of us, this marked the point at which we learnt of the murder of our loved ones by Hamas.
"For others, this marked the point at which our loved ones were kidnapped and taken hostage. Yet, for all of us, this marked the point at which an unimaginable escalation in campus antisemitism began.
“On October 7th, antisemitism once again became a permissible form of hatred.”
According to the Communities Security Trust (CST), there was a 203 per cent increase in university-related antisemitic incidents between 2022 and 2023.
To access the survey, click here