Jewish students and York University agree over way forward in tackling antisemitism on campus

Jewish students and York University have pledged to tackle antisemitism together.

Members of the university’s Jewish society met university officials last week to discuss their complaints over the performance at York of the play Seven Jewish Children, which has been described as antisemitic.

An initial statement drafted by the university was rejected by the JSoc for not fully addressing the issues.

But in the joint statement, released on Monday, both parties promised to discuss “practical steps” to counter Jew-hated.

The measures would be aimed at “reassuring students who are concerned about antisemitism, raising awareness about the points of contact students can use to raise specific concerns, ensuring that Jewish staff and students of all nationalities feel welcome at York”.

The statement, signed by university registrar and secretary David Duncan, JSoc president Hanna Ferencz, JSoc secretary Jordan Hennessy and JSoc treasurer Zachary Confino, said: “The students raised concerns about antisemitism which they and others had experienced in the course of their studies. The meeting discussed the issue of race hate and antisemitism and began a dialogue about how the University and the Jewish Society can work together to address this very serious matter.”

The university would also be seeking advice from the Community Security Trust.

The statement said: “The University aims to ensure that anyone who experiences antisemitism or race hate of any kind is aware of the mechanisms in place to report it. We hope that the above steps as well as actions that result from our future work with the Jewish Society and other groups will help to guarantee this.”

The JSoc also met student union president Ben Leatham on Thursday to discuss their concerns.

It was revealed on Sunday that former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has written to universities minister Jo Johnson because of what he called the “muted” official response to Jew-hatred on campus.

According to the Sunday Times, Lord Williams has been in contact with Mr Confino. In a letter to the Jewish student the former archbishop disclosed that he written to the government after being “very shocked” by a series of incidents.

In response a spokesperson from the department for Business, Innovation & Skills told the JC: "There is no place for antisemitism or any other kind of racism either in our universities or anywhere else in society. The government takes this issue extremely seriously, which is why last autumn we asked Universities UK to lead a review into what more can be done to tackle harassment and hate crimes on campus. This review will report back in the coming months.”

Last week, North Yorkshire Police announced it was investigating allegations of antisemitic activity at York following a complaint from the father of a Jewish student.

Full statement

Joint Statement by the University of York and the University of York Jewish Society

The Pro-Vice Chancellor for Teaching, Learning & Students and the Registrar & Secretary met on 7 March with the President, Secretary and Treasurer of the University of York Jewish Society. An officer of the Union of Jewish Students also attended.

The students raised concerns about anti-Semitism which they and others had experienced in the course of their studies. The meeting discussed the issue of race hate and anti-Semitism and began a dialogue about how the University and the Jewish Society can work together to address this very serious matter. They agreed to discuss further practical steps aimed at:

reassuring students who are concerned about anti-Semitism
raising awareness about the points of contact students can use to raise specific concerns
ensuring that Jewish staff and students of all nationalities feel welcome at York

The University representatives indicated that they were seeking external advice on this matter from the Community Security Trust. They would also be meeting with other societies and groups to hear their views and address any concerns they might have.

The University aims to ensure that anyone who experiences anti-Semitism or race hate of any kind is aware of the mechanisms in place to report it. We hope that the above steps as well as actions that result from our future work with the Jewish Society and other groups will help to guarantee this.

David Duncan
Registrar & Secretary

Hanna Ferencz
President, Jewish Society

Jordan Hennessy
Secretary, Jewish Society

Zachary Confino
Treasurer, Jewish Society

14 March 2016