21 March 2025
Amplifying our students’ voices
In the past week, StandWithUs UK hosted two critical roundtable discussions with university students—one at the House of Lords and another at the Israeli Embassy. These gatherings provided a platform for students to share their personal experiences and testimonies about the challenges they face as Zionist students on campus.
The resonating message from all testimonies is clear: students who seek to learn and engage in balanced, credible discussions about Israel, as well as those who wish to express their Zionist identity freely, in most cases can’t do it.
Many spoke about the hostility they encounter, the isolation they feel, and the alarming lack of support from their universities and student bodies.
Student A from Queen Mary University spoke of the abuse Zionist students received following a vigil for the one-year commemoration of October 7th massacres, “for holding a peaceful vigil, I am now branded as an outsider. I have been shouted at simply for walking past the library, capturing on video their aggressive call: “There’s a Zionist there, so you need to shout as loud as possible”.’
When asked what the university had done to support the affected students, Student A said that there had been ‘“no response or consequences for the perpetrators for this verbal and sometimes physical abuse to Israeli and Jewish students.’ ” Similar experiences were shared by multiple students at the roundtable, with a wide agreement that there was little to no support from the university administration and key external organisations.
Student M, from King’s College London, said: “ I hosted an event about dialogue with an Iranian – it was shut down by pro-Palestinian students. Campus security said it was the worst violence they had seen on campus since the encampments last year. I was nearly beaten up.” Student M is yet to receive any response or support from the university.
Baroness Smith, who is responsible for access to Higher Education, commented:
“Our plans include investment in training in higher education, schools and colleges in dealing with antisemitism. Responsibility on high education leadership that they are acting against these hostile environments. Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, is having a meeting with Vice Chancellors about what is going on in campuses.”
Since the Hamas massacre on October 7th, the situation has worsened. Jewish and pro-Israel students are facing an increasingly difficult environment, with rising incidents of antisemitism, intimidation, and institutional indifference. Now more than ever, they need education, empowerment, support, and a voice that will not be silenced.
Student R, from UCL, reiterated this issue: “ Anti-Israel students and staff across UK universities have no consequences or punishments and therefore they feel empowered and Jewish students are not protected.”
StandWithUs UK is unwavering in its commitment to supporting these students, ensuring their voices are heard by decision-makers at the highest levels.
Through direct engagement with policymakers, we are bringing their concerns to the forefront, demanding accountability, and working toward tangible change.
About StandWithUs UK:
StandWithUs is an international, non-profit and non-partisan Israel education organisation that works to inspire and educate people of all ages about Israel, as well as challenge misinformation and fight against antisemitism. Founded in 2010, StandWithUs UK has become a recognised support system and leading resource for students on UK campuses. We empower and energise students and communities with leadership training and educational programmes on both school and university campuses. StandWithUs informs through social media, printed materials, digital platforms, film and newsletters. The StandWithUs flagship Emerson Fellowship programme seeks to raise students into future leaders, equipped to stand strong in the face of antisemitism and anti-Zionism. We believe in the right of the Jewish People to self-determination in their historic homeland of Israel. We educate the facts in an unbiased and holistic manner, with an open mind, reflecting on views from all sides of the political, social and humanitarian spectrum whilst promoting peace. StandWithUs UK believe the current discourse surrounding Israel on campus all too often crosses the line between legitimate criticism of Israel’s policies and the dangerous, mainstream, antisemitic rhetoric which stands contrary to the IHRA definition of antisemitism. We work to educate on that distinction, encourage civil discourse on legitimate criticism of Israel, and to fight antisemitism wherever it emerges.
