Universities are 'failing to protect Jewish students from aggressive extremists', report claims

By CHRIS POLLARD, NEWS REPORTER Published: 01:15, 11 May 2026 | Updated: 01:15, 11 May 2026 Universities are failing in their moral duty as academics 'foster, legitimise and actively participate' in the marginalisation of Jewish students, a report claims. It states that 'we are witnessing the collapse of the moral compass' within Britain's most prestigious institutions. And it says Jewish students are being left 'without protection' on campuses as aggressive anti-Semitism becomes a 'national crisis'. The report adds: 'If our institutions of higher learning become echo chambers for extremism, they cease to function as centres of excellence. They become factories of radicalisation.' The document, compiled by pro-Israel charity StandWithUs UK, is backed by cross-party politicians including Baroness Hodge and MPs Richard Tice and Christine Jardine. In an open letter, they call on Sir Keir Starmer to step in and tighten the law if necessary. They write: 'The explosion of anti-Semitism on the UK's university campuses has become a national crisis.' The letter also urges the Prime Minister to make 'an unequivocal statement before Parliament clarifying that anti-Zionism is a form of anti-Semitism that must be prosecuted accordingly'. The report claims the problem increasingly involves academics. It says there has been a 'chilling shift' in which some staff are alleged to have become 'active participants in a culture that marginalises Jewish students'. A pro-Palestine demonstration meets a pro-Israel demonstration outside the gates of University College London in 2024 One student told researchers an academic on campus had written articles calling the October 7 terror attack 'an astonishingly effective assault on Israeli military outposts'. The student added: 'I feel that this is an increasing trend, students and academics weaponising the concept of academic freedom to spread anti-Semitism.' A University College London student claimed they were slapped at a party 'simply because I am Israeli' and later attended a lecture in which a speaker allegedly repeated anti-Semitic tropes. StandWithUs UK executive director Isaac Zarfati said: 'Our report reveals the brutal reality of life at university for British Jews. 'The UK's historic university sector is now at risk of collapsing into hubs of radicalisation and extremism. University leaders have failed to display the urgency and resolve needed to address this crisis and must be held accountable before tragedy strikes.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.