Rishi Sunak summons university chiefs amid fears over antisemitism and Gaza campus protests
Rishi Sunak is to hold a summit with university heads amid concern over pro-Palestinian protests which have triggered hundreds of arrests at campuses across the US.
The Prime Minister has summoned vice chancellors to Downing Street to seek reassurance that they are tackling antisemitism at their institutions.
He has become concerned after a series of demonstrations springing up on UK campuses.
On Thursday Pro-Palestinian protesters forced their way into the library at Goldsmiths, University of London and barricaded themselves in, with “From the river to the sea” and “Shut it down for Palestine” banners seen in the windows.
Protests have also been staged at Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Warwick, Newcastle and Sheffield universities this week.
The Government fears that left unchecked these demonstrations could spiral into the highly-disruptive mass activism seen at US universities.
The Union of Jewish Students said in a statement its members were “angry, tired and hurt by the continuous torrent of antisemitic hatred on campus”.
It added: “As Jewish students begin their exams, their peers seek to replicate scenes of hatred from US campuses. While students have a right to protest, these encampments create a hostile and toxic atmosphere on campus for Jewish students.
“Let us be clear: we will not stand for this hatred. It is time that universities take their duty of care to Jewish students seriously.”
A Downing Street spokesman said universities must ensure that Jewish students feel safe on campus, adding: “Whilst we firmly believe in the power of rigorous free speech and debate, the right to that does not include the right to harass others.”
The universities have sought to reassure the government that they are taking action.
A Goldsmiths spokesman said: “We are in dialogue with students and are fully committed to working together to put in place meaningful support for those affected by the war.”
The protests across US campuses have been huge, with more than 2,100 people arrested in recent weeks.
One officer accidentally fired his gun inside a Columbia University administration building in New York while clearing out protesters camped inside.
More than 100 people were taken into custody during the Columbia crackdown.
There have been at least 50 incidents of arrests at 40 different US colleges or universities since April 18.
President Joe Biden defended the right of students to peaceful protest but has criticised the disorder in recent days.
Meanwhile there have been university protests in Australia with students clashing with pro-Israeli groups in Sydney.
The incident at the University of Sydney was broken up as police moved in with force.
Students have also set up camp in Toronto, Canada. They issued a statement saying: “we’re planning to stay as long as we need to get our demands.”
The demonstrations follow the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October which left 1,200 dead with more than 100 still believed to be held as hostages in Gaza.
Israeli military retaliation in Gaza has claimed 34,000 lives, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
