WORKING TOGETHER TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE DONE ON CAMPUS

OXFORD University Jewish Society and Oxford University Labour Club (OULC) held a joint event on Sunday.

The meeting, at Mansfield College, on ‘Labour, Antisemitism and the Jewish Community: Moving Forward’ was described by participants as a “great success”.

It was addressed by Ella Rose, former president of the Union of Jewish Students and current director of the Jewish Labour Movement.

She discussed the work JLM has been doing around the country, working with constituency Labour parties (CLPs) and other university Labour clubs.

Baroness Royall, who conducted the Labour Party investigation into the activities of OULC, also spoke.

She said the event was an outcome of dialogue between members of the university’s JSoc and OULC.

In February last year, allegations of antisemitism made national headlines after the non-Jewish co-chair of OULC resigned, citing antisemitism from members.

Baroness Royall’s investigation found there had been “incidents of antisemitic behaviour” and that “some Jewish members do not feel comfortable attending the OULC meetings, let alone participating”.

Following Sunday’s event, a joint statement from the JSoc and OULC said: “We jointly agree that there is more that needs to be done to ensure that Jewish students can, and know they can, feel comfortable within OULC,” the statement continued.

DANIEL SUGARMAN