Jewish student says antisemitism is still a problem on campus

A Jewish student at the University of Birmingham has described feeling scared and alone because of antisemitism on campus, as new figures show a rise in incidents affecting Jewish students across the UK.

Ari Sheldon, a second-year international relations student and chair of the university's Jewish Society, said harmful stereotypes had become normalised and that the society now keeps details of its events private because of threats.

A frightening experience

He described an occasion when people "tried to storm the venue and try and get in while they were protesting outside".

He also said the number of Jewish students starting at the university this year was the lowest for 40 years, which he linked to tensions in the city after last year's controversy over Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters being barred from Aston Villa's Europa League match.

The national picture

The Community Security Trust, a charity that protects British Jews and records antisemitic incidents, reported 95 antisemitic incidents affecting Jewish students, academics, staff or campus organisations across the UK in the 2025 to 2026 academic year. That was a 14 per cent increase on the 83 incidents recorded the year before, although below the 272 recorded in 2023 to 2024.

The trust said there was now a "baseline level of antisemitism that is significantly higher" than before the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the war in Gaza that followed.

The university's response

A University of Birmingham spokesperson said: "We will not tolerate antisemitism or any other form of discrimination, and encourage students to report incidents."

The university has a community safety team available 24 hours a day, a Report and Support service, and a Safe Zone mobile app that students can use to report concerns and request help.

Freedom of speech and safety

Universities have a legal duty to protect freedom of speech, including the right to protest, and a duty to protect students from harassment and discrimination. Balancing the two has become a major challenge since 2023, with protests about the war in Gaza on many campuses. Regulators have published guidance setting out that protest must not become harassment or intimidation.

A diverse city

Birmingham is one of the most diverse cities in Europe, with communities of many faiths. The city has a long-established Jewish community, with Singers Hill Synagogue on Blucher Street, opened in 1856, one of the oldest synagogues still in use in the country. Faith leaders in the city have long worked together through interfaith networks to promote understanding.

Reporting hate

Anyone who experiences or witnesses antisemitism or any other form of hate crime can report it to the police on 101, or 999 in an emergency. Incidents can also be reported to the Community Security Trust, and to the national True Vision website. Students can report incidents to their university.

Hate Crime Awareness Week

National Hate Crime Awareness Week takes place from 10 to 17 October, with organisations across the country encouraging people to recognise and report hate in all its forms.

Support for students

Jewish students can get support from their university's Jewish Society, the Union of Jewish Students, and chaplaincy services, which are open to students of all faiths and none. Universities also offer wellbeing and counselling services for any student who has been affected by harassment or discrimination. The Community Security Trust provides advice on safety to Jewish communities and student societies.