In Cambridge and Oxford, anti-Israel activists have set up tent camps, including in “liberated areas”.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has summoned the heads of 17 leading universities to Downing Street to make it clear to them that the rapid growth of anti-Semitism on campuses is unacceptable. He asked them not to accept the “intimidation and harassment” of Jewish students by a “noisy and aggressive minority.” For now, Sunak is leaving it as a warning.
“Toxic and hostile atmosphere”
Anti-Israel activists have set up tent camps in Cambridge and Oxford. In this way, they duplicate actions in the United States, including the “liberated areas”. Just like in America and the Netherlands, activists wear face shields, sometimes wearing an Arabic headscarf (keffiyeh), to hide their identity. According to the Jewish Society of Cambridge, the support received by Hamas has created a “toxic and hostile atmosphere towards Jewish students”.
There are also demonstrations at the universities of Leeds, Bristol, Manchester, Lancaster and Edinburgh. In Cambridge, Chancellor Magnificus Deborah Prentice has announced that she will not evict the tent camp, despite the fact that this form of activity – wild camping in university offices – is against the rules. He stated that he fully supports “freedom of expression”. The University of Oxford issued a similar statement. A few years ago, Cambridge and Oxford, together with Imperial College, were at the bottom of the list of British universities where freedom of speech is best respected.
The National Union of Students (NUS) at a meeting in Blackpool recently voted to ban the Jewish Students’ Union. It was a non-binding vote. 18 months ago, NUS president Shaima Dallali was forced to resign due to anti-Semitism. According to the week The Jewish Chronicle congress called for the “dismantling” of the state of Israel as a “racist colonization project”. On campuses, activists have advocated “globalizing the Intifada,” supporting Yemen’s Muslim fundamentalist Houthis, and boycotting “Zionists.”
In south London, the management of Goldsmiths College has already responded to some of the protesters’ demands. The university conducts research on investments and partnerships with Israel. It also examines whether the International Holocaust Remembrance Organization’s definition of antisemitism still applies. The rector of the Kattoy universities, Sally Mapstone, has not ruled out intervention on the campuses if the exam is at risk.