UK Jewish Students Face Relentless Antisemitism on Campuses

Risk Calculation and the Campus Double Life

Relentless Hostility at Cardiff University

Like many campuses across the UK, Cardiff University has seen pro-Palestine protests in recent years. At Cardiff University, student Oliver recounted that his first year on campus was absolutely terrifying, leading him to question whether he could continue his studies from one day to the next. He described hiding his Star of David pendant when on campus and stopping himself from speaking Hebrew outside his home after encountering what he viewed as relentless antisemitic behavior over a three-year period.

Students reported hearing hostile conversations in campus clubs and finding antisemitic pamphlets being handed around where it’s literally saying that your belief and your history is fake. Oliver stated: I've been at house parties where, when someone's found out I'm Jewish they started calling me Netanyahu behind my back. Like you found out my religion and you've decided I'm a bad person. Holding Jewish people responsible for the actions of the Israeli government is a form of antisemitism, according to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

Accusations of Institutional Inaction

Beyond interpersonal hostility, students have voiced frustration over how university administrations handle formal complaints. Oliver said that when he had reported antisemitic incidents that had happened to him and others, he had felt they had been often swept under the rug by the university. Although he said some positive action had been taken, he feels more needs to be done.

In response to these accounts, Cardiff University stated that it was sorry that any student felt unsafe on campus and that it adopts a zero-tolerance approach to harassment and discrimination of all kinds. It said there was no place for antisemitism or hatred at the university and they have robust procedures in place for investigating allegations of antisemitism. Where it is found, the university said appropriate action would be taken. It added that it had reached out to the university’s Jewish Society and reminded students to report incidents to them.

Wider Security Pressures Across Britain

British counterterrorism police are now investigating a wave of arson attacks against Jewish sites across London — four in as many days — probing whether Iranian proxies are responsible. Two synagogues and a Jewish charity were torched. An Iran-linked group is threatening to fly drones carrying hazardous substances at the Israeli embassy, coming only a few weeks after ambulances belonging to a Jewish charity were set alight in Golders Green — one of the most Jewish areas. As security measures tighten inside and outside educational institutions, Jewish students continue to navigate the impacts of these incidents.