Expel students who spread anti-Semitism, says new tsar

STUDENTS involved in anti-Semitic incidents at two major UK universities should be kicked out because their conduct is so “dangerous”, a government tsar has said.

Lord Mann, the Government’s independent adviser on anti-Semitism, said that any students involved in intimidating Jewish classmates and staff at the universities of Birmingham and Leeds had “forfeit their right to stay”.

Earlier this month, Jewish students at the University of Birmingham spoke of their fear after a banner was raised at a rally reading, “Zionists off our campus” and there were allegedly chants of “Death to Zionists”.

A Jewish chaplain at the University of Leeds was, meanwhile, forced into hiding with his family after he received death threats over his role as an Israel Defense Force reservist.

Lord Mann, a former Labour MP who was appointed the Government’s independent adviser on anti-Semitism in 2019, told The Telegraph he had arranged urgent meetings with both institutions because the cases were “two of the most serious incidents I’ve seen in universities ever”.

“In both cases they’re trying to exclude people from the university because they’re Jewish,” he said. “This takes things to a different level.” He said the involvement of “mass groups” was an aggravating factor. “That’s why it’s more extreme and more dangerous, because this becomes mob rule.”

He said in both instances any students participating should face the strongest punishment. “Those who are participants within the university forfeit their right to stay in that university.”

A spokesman for Leeds University said: “The university continues to assist West Yorkshire Police as they try to bring those behind last week’s appalling anti-Semitic incidents to justice.

“We would take the strongest possible action against any student or member of staff found to be responsible.”

University of Birmingham said: “We take the event on campus on Feb 7 very seriously and have been working quickly to investigate the circumstances and take action.

“This has included working closely with West Midlands Police. The police have now confirmed that they are investigating two racially aggravated public order offences and are carrying out further enquiries. We will be assisting the police with this investigation.”