"Vocal Minority Community Disrupting Lives": UK PM Sunak Asks University Leaders To Tackle Antisemitism On Campus

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called upon university leaders on Thursday (9 May) to address the increase in antisemitic abuse occurring on campuses and the resulting disruptions to learning, particularly in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Sunak and his ministers are scheduled to meet with university vice-chancellors to ensure a zero-tolerance approach towards antisemitic abuse is adopted across all campuses, as stated by 10 Downing Street.

"Universities should be places of rigorous debate but also bastions of tolerance and respect for every member of their community," stated Sunak.

"A vocal minority on our campuses are disrupting the lives and studies of their fellow students and, in some cases, propagating outright harassment and antisemitic abuse. That has to stop," he added.

Additionally, the meeting aims to inform forthcoming government guidance on combatting antisemitism on campuses.

Meanwhile, the Office for Students has committed to releasing the response to its consultation on a new condition of registration.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan also reiterated the government's stance, emphasising the importance of universities cracking down on antisemitism and ensuring that protests do not excessively disrupt university life.

In response to the rising antisemitic incidents, the government announced additional support last year, including 7 million British pounds to combat antisemitic abuse in educational settings.

A portion of this funding will be allocated to supporting the University Jewish Chaplaincy, which assists students in dealing with antisemitism and currently supports over 8,500 students across 100 universities.

Ministers are urging universities to take swift disciplinary action against any student inciting racial hatred or violence, and to involve the police where criminal acts are suspected.

The roundtable discussion scheduled for Thursday will involve representatives from the Union of Jewish Students, who will share their experiences and perspectives, as well as Vice-Chancellors who will exchange best practices and seek further government support in combating antisemitic incidents.

This initiative follows protests on some UK university campuses against the Israel-Hamas conflict, mirroring similar demonstrations on US campuses.