“Unprecedented volume” of antisemitism at UK universities prompts calls for public inquiry

Calls are growing for a public inquiry into antisemitic abuse at British university campuses, as one minister says that the problem has got “out of control”.

Jewish university students have reported increasing incidents of verbal abuse, threats of violence, and a tone of indifference in recent months, with many calling on the Government to take action.

StandWithUs UK, an education charity in support of Israel, has reported an “unprecedented volume” of abuse, including Jewish students at University College London (UCL) being labelled as “colonialists” and “genocide supporters”.

There have also been reports of swastikas carved into desks at King’s College London (KCL), while one student at the University of East Anglia have said “my campus has become a place where antisemitic displays are common”, with protestors at the campus chanting slogans like ‘from the river to the sea’, which some interpret as antisemitic.

It’s reached the point where I’ve felt unable to attend class. I’ve reported several incidents to the university, providing the names of the students involved, but none of the complaints have been properly addressed

KCL student

One UCL student said: “It’s reached the point where I’ve felt unable to attend class. I’ve reported several incidents to the university, providing the names of the students involved, but none of the complaints have been properly addressed.”

A poll of over 1000 students by the pro-Israel charity found that 51% of Russell Group students agreed that supporters of Israel ‘should expect abuse’, while 29% viewed the October 7 attacks as an ‘understandable act of resistance’ against Israel.

Some Jewish students have said that such opinions may become institutionalised, with one KCL student describing a seminar on the Middle East during the Cold War as turning “into a 50-minute discussion defending Hamas’s actions on October 7”.

Following their research, which was supported by the Israeli embassy in London, the UK arm of the StandWithUs charity has called for a public inquiry into campus antisemitism and a review of university policies.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has pledged £7 million to combat the problem in schools and universities

The Government has acknowledged the rising levels of abuse, noting a 465% rise in antisemitism at university campuses in the first five months of 2025, compared to the same period last year.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has pledged £7 million to combat the problem in schools and universities, while the issue was also debated in the House of Lords.

The rising levels of antisemitism comes amid Israel’s military action in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.

People across the world have had strong reactions against the mobilisation, with a report by Amnesty International concluding that Israel’s actions against Palestinians in Gaza have amounted to a genocide.

It is evident that students have strong opinions about the current Israel-Gaza conflict. However, tackling antisemitism on campus is essential to maintaining universities as safe and respectful communities. Differences of opinion on political issues must never justify abuse or discrimination, and it is important to distinguish between antisemitism and criticism of Israel’s military actions.