The Jewish Chronicle
York Jewish students invited to meetings to discuss hate concerns
March 1, 2016 17:35
Jewish students at York University who complained their fears about antisemitism on campus were being ignored have been invited to talks with college officials and the student union.
The move comes after pro-Palestinian supporters staged performances of Seven Jewish Children , a play which has been described as antisemitic.
The Jewish Society said they had raised concerns with the union, university officials and the student welfare department last week, but were unhappy with the lack of response.
JSoc secretary Jordan Hennessy said the only reply they had from a university official was to inform them they were contacting the wrong department.
"It just seems like no matter who you talk to about it, you're just being passed around," he said. The JSoc said it felt it "has been completely alone in the battle against antisemitism on campus."
But this week university officials said it had invited the students to discuss their concerns.
The university said: ""We are committed to ensuring the wellbeing of Jewish students and
to addressing the concerns that they have raised. To this end, the Registrar and Pro Vice Chancellor for Students have invited representatives of the Jewish Society to meet with them and discuss these matters face to face.
"More generally, the University requires all members of the community to treat each other with dignity and respect. There is a range of services available to students who want to raise concerns about their wellbeing and treatment by others."
Student union president Ben Leatham said the union had requested a meeting Jewish students to discuss their concerns.
He said: "We hope that it will be an opportunity to have an open discussion about issues on campus that affect Jewish students in particular. After that meeting we will consider what action should be taken over the concerns raised."
York University's student Palestinian Solidarity Society (PSS) staged two performances of the play, by Caryl Churchill, last Thursday as part of Israel Apartheid Week activities. PSS member Israeli student Eran Cohen, who appeared in the play, denied it was antisemitic. "It presents an accurate picture of an ugly side of Israeli right-wing politics, and it is not antisemitic to present this reality."
He said he regretted any offence that had been caused.