Van driver ‘threatened to ram’ Jewish students who were on their way to prayers

Police are investigating threats made to Jewish students at the University of Leeds, who said they feared a van would ram them as they walked to prayer services.

The students, aged 20 and 21, were walking to the university’s Hillel house when a “man in his 50s” wound down his van window and shouted “you Jewish b-------, I’m gonna beat the s--- out of you”.

When one of the students told the man they would call the police, he allegedly manoeuvred the van to face them in a “threatening position”.

West Yorkshire police said they are treating the threats as a hate crime. No arrests have been made.

Asked to describe the incident, which happened on Saturday morning, the students, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “As he was about to ram into us, we started running away.

“We ran around a few corners and hid behind a wall for five minutes until we thought the coast was clear.”

Sanctuary vandalised

Hillel house, which has a synagogue as well as space in which to study and socialise, was vandalised with “Free Palestine” graffiti on Thursday night.

Since then, the building has had police stationed outside it during events.

Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Richard Armstead, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “This kind of hate will not be tolerated and I would like to reassure the local community that we take reports of this nature seriously.

“Enquiries are being carried out to identify the person or persons responsible.

“Police are appealing for anyone who has witnessed any suspicious activity in the area or who has any information about who may be responsible to contact Leeds District CID.”

Dov Forman, a 20-year-old student at University College London, who campaigns against anti-Semitism, urged universities to bolster security around buildings like Hillel house.

He said: “In the face of escalating anti-Semitism, evidenced by another harrowing experience of Jewish students at the University of Leeds, it’s imperative that universities bolster security around Jewish facilities like Hillel houses.

“The climate of fear is so pervasive that the students who experienced the hate crimes in this story have preferred to remain anonymous in fear of their own safety.”

The Union of Jewish Students said: “This incident is sadly just one of many examples of Jewish students being targeted, abused and harassed in places that should be safe for them.

“UJS has been in touch with the students and provided continued support to them and all Jewish students impacted by the sharp rise in anti-Semitism since the October 7th attack.

“As the investigation continues, we hope anyone with information provides it to the police, to bring the perpetrator to justice.”

A spokesman for the University of Leeds said: “We are deeply shocked at reports that a van driver abused and threatened two of our Jewish students.

“The University is providing welfare support to the students concerned and will assist West Yorkshire Police in their investigation of this hate crime.

“The University has detailed measures in place to safeguard our students and continues to adapt and increase our support for them.

“Our campus security team and West Yorkshire Police are increasing visible foot and vehicle patrols of the area, as we continue to strengthen our partnership with the Community Security Trust, as well as West Yorkshire Police, to ensure our community feels safe.”