One in five UK students reluctant to live with Jewish housemate, report finds

A recent survey has suggested that up to one in five UK university students would be reluctant to live with Jewish students.

The Union of Jewish Students (UJS) polled 1,000 students across the country, and found that 20% would be reluctant to live with a Jewish student and 23% have seen antisemitic behaviour on campus.

The respondents came from all religious and non-religious backgrounds, with the UJS also including dozens of testimonies from the student body in its research.

The report concluded that many Jewish students are facing physical and verbal abuse, and that many of these students feel ostracised on university campuses.

Louis Danker, president of the UJS, said that “rising polarisation has been acutely felt on university campuses in the UK”, and claimed “a new wave of student activism” is disrupting campus life.

The Community Security Trust – a charity which aims to ensure the security of the UK’s Jewish community – found an 117% increase in antisemitic incidents in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic years, compared with the two previous years

Since the October 7 attacks in 2023, antisemitic incidents have spiked across the country more broadly.

The Community Security Trust – a charity which aims to ensure the security of the UK’s Jewish community – found an 117% increase in antisemitic incidents on university campuses in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic years, compared with the two previous years.

In addition, 51% of Jewish members of the teachers’ union NASUWT reported experiencing antisemitism in the past year, with more than half feeling that when they raised concerns of such behaviours, appropriate action was not taken.

In March, a UK government report outlined plans for a national counter-extremism strategy to protect UK citizens.

The government has also commissioned an independent review into antisemitic incidents in schools and colleges – investing £2.3 million into think tank Palace Yard – and has said the Union of Jewish Students will train education professionals to tackle antisemitism and introduce practical solutions.