Antisemitic incidents in British unis up 14% in a year and 'significantly higher' than before October 7 attacks

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 19:01 EDT, 29 September 2026 | Updated: 19:01 EDT, 29 September 2026 Antisemitic incidents in British universities are up by 14 per cent in a year and are 'significantly higher' than before the October 7th attacks on Israel, a report has found.The Community Security Trust (CST) said it received 95 reports of incidents affecting Jewish students or university staff in the UK during the 2025-26 academic year.This compares with just 83 such reports the previous year, and 53 in 2022-23 – the last academic year before Hamas killed more than 1,200 civilians.That attack prompted a retaliatory bombing campaign in Gaza by Israel, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands more.The subsequent year, 2023-24, a record 272 antisemitic incidents were recorded on UK campuses.The CST, a charity which monitors anti-Jewish incidents in Britain, said there is now a 'baseline level of antisemitism that is significantly higher' than before the conflict.Education Secretary Lucy Powell called the CST's findings 'deeply troubling'.She added: 'No student should have to choose between expressing their identity and feeling safe on campus, yet for too many Jewish students that remains a reality. Antisemitic incidents in British universities are up by 14 per cent in a year and are 'significantly higher' than before the October 7th attacks on Israel, a report has found (file picture)'We expect universities to take a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism, and are providing training to help university staff identify and respond to incidents swiftly.'The report said the majority of incidents reported to the charity were in the category of abusive behaviour.However, it also recorded two incidents of extreme violence in 2024-25 – one in Edinburgh and one in Leeds – which was the first time the charity has recorded incidents of this kind at universities.Incidents in this category cover any attack potentially causing loss of life or grievous bodily harm (GBH), the charity said.The report said university staff were responsible for 16 antisemitic incidents over the past two years.It said: 'University staff occupy positions of authority and influence, so their views carry increased weight with their audience.'Students may also feel reluctant to challenge or report antisemitic behaviour when it comes from lecturers, tutors or supervisors.'The charity called on universities to make clear the difference between anti-Israel speech and antisemitism, and enforce this difference through disciplinary action.Mark Gardner, chief executive of the CST, said: 'These figures show that Jews are still facing a very serious campus antisemitism problem.'Figures have fallen from their post-7 October 2023 peak, but are still far higher than before that dreadful day.'Lord Mann, the Government's independent adviser on antisemitism, said: 'Those who target abuse and threats need to be disciplined, and in extreme examples they should forfeit the privileges afforded to those who work or study in our centres of learning.'Shadow education secretary Laura Trott accused some universities of 'not doing enough' and added: 'There must be consequences for this vile behaviour.'Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK, said the report was of 'serious concern' and added she had brought together university leaders with experts to work on guidance and share effective practice.But she added: 'There is more to do, particularly in building confidence in the effectiveness of disciplinary processes.'