Jewish students at universities across the United Kingdom are reporting experiences of what they describe as relentless antisemitism, with some feeling compelled to hide their identity for fear of abuse.
Instances at institutions like Cardiff University have involved behavior that crosses the line from criticism of Israel into antisemitism, according to students. Holding Jewish people responsible for the actions of the Israeli government is identified as a form of antisemitism by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.
One student, referred to as Oliver, described his first year at university as "absolutely terrifying." He recounted instances where he stopped speaking Hebrew in public and hid his Star of David pendant while on campus. Over the subsequent three years, he characterized the antisemitic abuse as "relentless," including hearing comments that dismissed Jewish beliefs and history as fabricated, and being subjected to derogatory nicknames at parties when his religion was discovered.
When reporting antisemitic incidents, Oliver felt they were often not adequately addressed by the university administration. While acknowledging some positive steps have been taken, he believes more action is necessary.
Cardiff University issued a statement expressing regret that any student felt unsafe on campus, asserting a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of harassment and discrimination. The university stated that antisemitism and hatred have no place within its community and that robust procedures are in place to investigate allegations, with appropriate action taken when warranted. The university also indicated it had contacted the Jewish Society and reminded students of reporting mechanisms for incidents.
Some students reported feeling the need to conceal their Jewish identity to avoid verbal and physical abuse, a sentiment echoed in reports from multiple UK university campuses. The experiences highlight ongoing concerns about the prevalence of antisemitism within higher education institutions.