Minister concerned about segregation of Jewish students in universities
Robert Halfon expressed his concern about the rise of anti-Semitism on campuses, noting a 200 percent increase in incidents since the Hamas terror attacks on Oct. 7.
The universities minister highlighted a worrying trend of “ghettoisation” among Jewish students on campus, where they feel unable to fully enjoy their university experience.
During a House of Commons Education Committee meeting, Robert Halfon MP emphasized that anti-Semitism is a significant issue across higher education in the UK.
He pointed out that while anti-Jewish hatred had been on the rise in British universities before the Oct. 7 attacks, the incidents had spiked since then.
In response to the surge in anti-Semitic incidents, the Community Security Trust reported a record volume of incidents in 40 years, with 66 percent occurring post-Oct. 7.
To address this issue, Mr. Halfon announced plans to appoint an anti-Semitism watchdog for universities and introduce a “seal of quality” for institutions effectively addressing anti-Semitism on campus.
Discussing these initiatives, the minister stressed the importance of tackling anti-Semitism in higher education and highlighted specific instances of intimidation faced by Jewish individuals and communities on campus.
He also mentioned additional funding to protect Jewish community sites, following a rise in anti-Semitic incidents in schools and universities.
The increase in anti-Semitic incidents, both on campus and in schools, underscores the urgency of addressing this issue and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all students.
