University will do more to tackle hatred

AUNIVERSITYhaspledgedtodomore to tackle Jewish students’ concerns about antisemitism on their campus.

York University officials issued a joint statement with Jewish students on Monday in which both parties agreed to discuss “practical steps” to counter Jew-hate.

The measures would be aimed at “reassuringstudentswhoareconcerned about antisemitism, raising awareness about the points of contact students can use to raise specific concerns, ensuring that Jewish staff and students of all nationalities feel welcome at York”, the statement said.

It came after complaints from Jewish students that their concerns were being ignored.

Caryl Churchill’s play, Seven Jewish Children, which has been widely described as antisemitic, had been performed by Palestinian supporters at the university last month as part of “Israel Apartheid Week”.

Members of the university’s Jewish Society met campus officials lastweek,butaninitialstatement drafted by the university was rejected for not fully addressing the issues.

The eventual document was signed by university registrar and secretary David Duncan, JSoc president Hanna Ferencz, JSoc secretary Jordan Hennessy and JSoc treasurer Zachary Confino. York JSoc treasurer Zachary Confino

The university said it would seek advice from the Community Security Trust.

The statement added: “The university aims to ensure that anyone who experiences antisemitism or race hate of any kind is aware of the mechanisms in place to report it.”

The JSoc also met student union president Ben Leatham last week. The student union also subsequently pledged to do more to raise awareness of hate crimes and support Jewish students.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams had written to universities minister Jo Johnson because of what he called the “muted” official response to Jew-hatred on campus.

According to the Sunday Times, Lord Williams sent a letter to Mr Confino in which he disclosed that he had contacted the government after being “very shocked” by a series of incidents.

In response, a government spokesperson said: “The government takes this issue extremely seriously, which is why last autumn we asked Universities UK to lead a review into what more can be done to tackle harassment and hate crimes on campus. This review will report back in the coming months.” North Yorkshire Police is investigating allegations of antisemitism at York followingacomplaint from the father of a Jewish student.