The short version
- The Community Security Trust recorded ninety-five university-related antisemitic incidents in the latest academic year, an increase from the previous term but well below the peak seen immediately after the October 2023 attacks.
- Most reported cases involved verbal abuse or online hostility linked to the conflict in Gaza, with a notable rise in incidents involving university staff rather than just students.
- Government officials and higher education leaders are urging institutions to adopt zero-tolerance policies and improve disciplinary processes to protect Jewish communities on campus.
Hostile acts targeting Jewish students and staff at British universities increased during the 2025-26 academic year, according to new data from a leading monitoring charity. The Community Security Trust reported ninety-five incidents classified as university-related, marking a rise from eighty-three cases recorded in the preceding term. This uptick follows a period of decline after the sharp surge that occurred in the immediate aftermath of the Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza.
While the current figures remain significantly lower than the peak of two hundred seventy-two incidents recorded in the 2023-24 academic year, they are still substantially higher than the pre-conflict baseline. In the 2022-23 academic year, before the October 7 attacks, the charity logged only fifty-three such incidents. The recent data suggests that while the most intense wave of hostility may have subsided, a persistent level of antisemitism continues to affect campus environments across the United Kingdom.
The majority of these incidents involved abusive behavior, including verbal harassment, offensive comments made in person or online, and antisemitic graffiti. Approximately two-thirds of the reported cases combined antisemitic language with references to Israel, Gaza, Hamas, or the broader Middle East conflict. The charity noted that while criticism of Israeli government policies or Zionism is not inherently antisemitic, the data indicates that anti-Zionist rhetoric is frequently used alongside hostility toward Jewish individuals and organizations.
A concerning trend identified in the report is the growing involvement of university staff in these incidents. Mark Gardner, chief executive of the Community Security Trust, highlighted that a rising proportion of anti-Jewish actions now involve employees rather than solely students. This shift complicates institutional responses, as it requires universities to address misconduct within their own ranks while maintaining academic freedom and fair employment practices.
The nature of the incidents has also included more severe forms of aggression. Over the past two academic years, there were six reported assaults, eight instances of damage or desecration to Jewish property, and ten threats. Notably, for the first time in the charity's records, two occurrences of extreme violence were documented during the 2024-25 term. Five of the property damage incidents occurred in student accommodation, suggesting that hostility is spilling over from public campus spaces into private living areas.
Government officials have responded to the findings with concern. Lucy Powell, the education secretary for England, described the report as deeply troubling and emphasized the expectation that universities maintain a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism. She noted that the government is providing training resources to help staff identify and respond to incidents swiftly, aiming to standardize responses across different institutions.
Universities UK, which represents more than one hundred forty institutions, echoed these concerns. Vivienne Stern, the organization's chief executive, stated that universities have a clear responsibility to protect Jewish members of their communities from abuse. She emphasized the need for clarity regarding where the expression of strongly held political views crosses the line into antisemitism and harassment, acknowledging that more work is needed to build confidence in disciplinary processes.
Student leaders are also calling for immediate action. Raphi Leon, president of the Union of Jewish Students, urged institutions to use the report as a catalyst for boosting support services and tackling the root causes of campus hostility. The data underscores an ongoing challenge for higher education providers: balancing open debate on international conflicts with the safety and dignity of minority groups within their communities.
The conflict in Gaza, triggered by the October 7 attacks that killed approximately one thousand two hundred people and resulted in hundreds of hostages, has had a profound impact on social dynamics in the UK. Israel's military response has led to significant casualties in Gaza, according to local health authorities. This geopolitical backdrop continues to influence campus discourse, with the charity noting that references to the war remain central to many of the reported antisemitic incidents.
Moving forward, institutions are expected to refine their guidance and enforcement mechanisms. The Community Security Trust has worked with higher education bodies to develop clearer definitions and response protocols. However, the resurgence in incidents suggests that existing measures may be insufficient or inconsistently applied. As the new academic year progresses, the focus will likely remain on preventing further escalation while addressing the lingering effects of global tensions on local campus life.
Sources behind this briefing
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