'Antisemitism felt relentless' - Jewish students on life at UK universities

Jewish students at UK universities describe their experiences with antisemitism as "relentless," detailing a climate of fear and discrimination on campuses. One student, Oliver, recounted his first year at university as "absolutely terrifying," questioning whether he should continue his studies amidst the hostility.

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That first year was absolutely terrifying. You go home and think, 'do I carry on? Do I try to go to the next day?'

Oliver shared that he resorted to hiding his Jewish identity, stopping speaking Hebrew outside his home and concealing his Star of David pendant while on campus. He described hearing conversations and seeing pamphlets that delegitimized his beliefs and history. At house parties, he was called "Netanyahu" behind his back after revealing his religion, leading him to feel that his identity made him a "bad person" in the eyes of others.

When reporting incidents, Oliver felt they were often "swept under the rug" by the university, despite some positive actions being taken. Cardiff University stated they were sorry any student felt unsafe and affirmed a "zero-tolerance approach to harassment and discrimination." They emphasized that antisemitism has no place at the university and that robust procedures are in place for investigations.

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I've been in clubs [or] just wandering around the uni and you hear these conversations and you see pamphlets being handed around where it's literally saying that your belief and your history is fake.

Daniel, vice-president of the Jewish Society at Manchester University, noted that Jewish students began "hiding their identity" after the October 7th attacks and a subsequent attack in October 2025. He reported instances of antisemitic graffiti and swastikas appearing on walls and at a house party. A Jewish student wearing a kippah was reportedly warned by staff not to enter an academic building during protests due to safety concerns.

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Like you found out my religion and you've decided I'm a bad person.

"To be Jewish at university is to have an identity that is inherently politicised by everyone around you," Daniel said. "That becomes very exhausting because it's a very difficult place to navigate." A University of Manchester spokesperson confirmed that offensive graffiti was promptly removed with police involvement and that the university takes antisemitism "extremely seriously."

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I've been at house parties where, when someone's found out I'm Jewish they started calling me Netanyahu behind my back.