We will not stand by as Jewish students suffer

We have seen alarming levels of division and violence at pro-Palestinian protests on campuses in the United States recently.

Police in riot gear have descended on universities where students have been arrested, property has been damaged, and people have been badly hurt.

Protests have spilled over into campuses here in England, but thankfully have not escalated to violence. Our country has a proud history of tolerance and freedom of speech, something this Government has enshrined in law within our universities.

The situation in Gaza is tragic to see, and the human suffering is unbearable. That’s why we are clear there must be an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out, so we can progress towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire.

Regardless, the sad fact is since the abhorrent Oct 7 attacks, there has been an unprecedented rise in incidents of anti-Semitic abuse and intimidation.

This is creating a hostile and toxic atmosphere on campus, which these protests will add to, when students are beginning some of the most important exams of their lives.

In light of this, I am making myself very clear: anti-Semitic abuse and intimidation must not be tolerated on university campuses and we will not stand by as Jewish students suffer.

Freedom of speech and expression is vital to academic communities, but it must not be used to harass and intimidate, or cause significant disruption to the vital business of higher education.

I recently wrote to all university vice chancellors to make sure they clamp down on anti-Semitic abuse and prevent protests from escalating.

At Goldsmiths, University of London, leaders have given in to the unreasonable demands of a vocal minority of protesters. Their actions – particularly in reviewing its use of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism – is causing deep hurt among Jewish students. Especially as this definition is an important tool in tackling anti-Semitics.

We’ve also seen protests at Russell Group universities including Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Sheffield and Newcastle.

As of Monday, students have set up encampments at Oxford and Cambridge universities too.

As some of our country’s top institutions, the way university leaders manage this situation will be of the utmost importance. As I set out in my letter to all vice chancellors, the Government expects all universities to take swift action to ensure the safety of staff and students and reduce disruption.

I know a great deal of work is already underway by universities to plan an emergency response with law enforcement partners to any escalation of protests, to enable students of all faiths to complete their studies without fear of intimidation or abuse.

I recognise that universities have already been working hard to respond to incidents, including swift disciplinary action and working closely with the police where appropriate. I encourage them to continue to do so.

Where there is evidence of possible criminality, including illegal hate speech or supporting a proscribed terrorist organisation such as Hamas, universities must involve the police and Community Security Trust where appropriate.

Vice chancellors are not alone in this. We will continue to support them to ensure they have the tools they need to act swiftly to tackle this type of unacceptable behaviour.

I will be speaking to a group of vice chancellors, including from Goldsmiths, in Downing Street this week to make it clear that we expect university leadership to be doing everything within their power to secure the safety and wellbeing of Jewish staff and students.

These are some of the most crucial and formative years of a young person’s life. We will do everything in our power to work with universities to make sure they are not torn apart by hatred, racism and violence.

Gillian Keegan is the Education Secretary