Jewish student ‘got a fail for not criticising Israel’

LEEDS University is being sued by a Jewish graduate who claims she was given a ‘fail’ in one of her sociology assignments because she did not criticise Israel.

Danielle Greyman said her essay about crimes committed by Hamas against Palestinians did not pass because it did not pin any blame on the Jewish state.

The 23-year-old student, who had never previously failed an essay at university, was forced to resit the module, which she passed. Despite this, Miss Greyman was unable to get her undergraduate degree certificate in time to take up a place on a master’s course at Glasgow University.

In her original essay, Miss Greyman referenced Hamas’s use of human shields, saying it was viewed as ‘a betrayal of the Palestinian people by their government’. The moderator’s note next to that part of the essay said: ‘This ignores the fact that the Israeli state commits acts of violence.’

In a review of her essay, an external examiner recommended that it should have been passed.

Miss Greyman’s lawyers have issued a legal claim against Leeds University for negligence, discrimination and victimisation.

Miss Greyman, from London, told the Jewish Chronicle: ‘It’s been massive emotional damage. I almost had a complete breakdown over this.’

One of the original markers of Miss Greyman’s failed essay was academic Claudia Radiven, who signed a petition defending scholar David Miller, who was fired by Bristol University following controversial comments about Jews.

Jonathan Turner, director of UK Lawyers for Israel, said: ‘Jewish students are more likely to write a pro-Israel essay that is critical of Palestinian terrorists. If students are penalised for defending Israel then that may constitute indirect discrimination.’ He added: ‘We are concerned that the underlying bias has not been addressed and remains liable to result in discriminatory treatment of other students.’

Miss Greyman, pictured, said: ‘ I’ve studied sociology since GCSE. It was very much my passion, I wanted to become a sociologist. After this happened, I had an entire meltdown.

‘I don’t think returning to sociology is an option. I can’t retrain in another subject, I’ve used my student loan, I’ve basically wasted this time in my life.’ Miss Radiven did not respond to a request for comment. A Leeds University spokesman said: ‘The university strenuously denies the accusations of anti-Semitism, although further comment would be inappropriate given the matter is subject to legal action.’