ARE JEWISH STUDENTS AT RISK OF ANTISEMITISM ON CAMPUS?
Jewish students have increasingly found themselves to be the target of abuse by pro-Palestinian campaigners at British universities. Pro-Israel speakers and events have been cancelled. Hate speakers are invited to universities like Cambridge, SOAS, LSE and Manchester. But is life really bad for Jewish students? And does this constitute antisemitism?
Are Jewish students at risk of antisemitism on campus?
Yes, because... It's as bad as its been
What has happened in Leeds and Manchester is the worst I've known it.
In Leeds a man who endorses the KKK writes in the student paper that Jews control the media- without being challenged for his views. And almost a 1000 students defend him! Don't these kids realise/realize how upsetting this issue is! and in Manchester the attacks on Tayla, the deputy ambassador, are frightening. The violence is not something I've known for a long time.
If I was looking for a university now, I'd be careful about where to go.
Freedom of Speech.
We need some perspective here. Yes an occasional antisemitic incident may occur, but looking at the statistical evidence, the risk of antisemitism on campus is truly minimal.
According to the CST's annual report in 2009, only 97 antisemitic incidents occurred throughout the year across the country on campuses. And of there 38 were abusive emails sent to an individual academic. Discounting this group of 38 incidents leaves 59 incidents occurred involving Jewish students, academics or student bodies - a 13% fall from 2008. The vast majority of these incidents involve antisemitic discourse rather than bodily harm. So we're looking at an average of only one incident a week, most of which are antisemitic comments. That means the vast majority of students on campus are not subjected to antisemitism (according to the CST's stats, though of course one could argue there is a problem of under-reporting).
In short, there is no great risk of antisemitism on most campuses. People don't need to be scared, and indeed most students are not. Jewish student life is thriving on campus.
Vote on this point: It's as bad as its been
See history of changes to this point
Are Jewish students at risk of antisemitism on campus?
Yes, because... It will always be a risk.
Of course there will always be a risk of anti-semitism on campus. When you get a lot of people with wildly differing ideas is somewhere that encourages freedom and gives students a lot of time there is a chance that there will be some people who will make use of that time to protest against Israel which may spill over in to anti-semitism.
However if the question is are they at much more risk than anywhere else, then probably not. There will be certain high profile events such as the cancellation of pro-Israeli speakers and anti-Israel marches as these are the kind of things that happen in politically active universities, but is anti-israelism anti-semitism? sometimes but often not. Are Jewish students more at risk on campus than they would be if they were equally visible elsewhere? probably not. Such anti-semitism is a growing worry everywhere and campuses are not much different in that regard.
Vote on this point: It will always be a risk.
See history of changes to this point
Are Jewish students at risk of antisemitism on campus?
No, because... This anti-Israel trend is worrying, but it isn't antisemitism
I am uncertain where to put this, but here goes anyway. I was chairman of the Jewish Society in a London college in the late sixties(of the last century :>)). The college was littered with anti-Semitic literature provided mainly by the children of Arab diplomats. I remember particularly Syrians and Jordanians/Palestinians? doing this.
The U.N chairman, who was meant to be neutral, was a Jew-hater and once tried to threaten me by waving a gun in front of my face.
I would ask Jewish students to take heed. The Jewish students who are anti-Israel should also take note that Jew-haters don't give a hoot about your politics when it comes to who to attack.
The anti-Israel attacks, the marches, the vile lies spread about our homeland are disgusting. The people who come to speak, who spread hate and call for Israel's destruction must be stopped.
But I do not believe British students are antisemitic( just Anti=-Zionist). They do not hate Jews but they naturally side with the underdog.
They like to believe they are fighting injustice. It is actually a compliment that we are not seen as the persecuted underdog any more but a worthy power to be taken seriously. These kids don't hate Jews. But Jewish students are paying for their boundless enthusiasm for any tom, dick or harry cause.
Vote on this point: This anti-Israel trend is worrying, but it isn't antisemitism
See history of changes to this point
Are Jewish students at risk of antisemitism on campus?
No, because... No More Than Any Other Culture
Sure there's a lot of growing concern about what's happening in Israel and Palestine but that doesnt mean that they are any more at risk than other studants from other cultures. There's always a risk of racism and xenaphobic behaviour from ignorent studants but the situation in Isreal hasn't made that moreso for Jews than any other religion. There's a lot of stigma associated with Islam still because of all the terrorist attacks supposedly linked to the religion and the state of affairs in Pakistan/Iraq/Iran etc. doesn't mean that they are more likely to recieve abuse for what they believe than Jewish studants.
Vote on this debate: Are Jewish students at risk of antisemitism on campus?
Point 1. It's as bad as its been
What has happened in Leeds and Manchester is the worst I've known it. In Leeds a man who endorses the KKK writes in the student paper that Jews control the media- without being challenged for his views. And almost a 1000 students defend him! Don't these kids realise how upsetting they are being! and in Manchester the attacks on Tayla, the deputy ambassadorm, are frightening. The violence is not somethingI've known for a long time. If I was looking for a university now, i'd be careful where I picked.
We need some perspective here. Yes an occassional antisemitic incident may occur, but looking at the statistical evidence, the risk of antisemitism on campus is truly minimal.
According to the CST's annual report in 2009, only 97 antisemitic incidents occured throughout the year across the country on campuses. And of there 38 were abusive emails sent to an individual academic. Discounting this group of 38 incidents leaves 59 incidents occurred involving Jewish students, academics or student bodies - a 13% fall from 2008. The vast majority of these incidents involve antisemitic discourse rather than bodily harm. So we're looking at an average of only one incident a week, most of which are antisemitic comments. That means the vast majority of students on campus are not subjected to antisemitism (according to the CST's stats, though of course one could argue there is a problem of under-reporting).
In short, there is no great risk of antisemitism on most campuses. People don't need to be scared, and indeed most students are not. Jewish student life is thriving on campus.
It is not anti-semitism we are witnessing but anti Israeli policy!
When Israel holds so much sway over the USA and Western Govts for example people are bound to look for reasons and find Jewish influence in banking and media etc. Not so long ago a hawkish US Govt. was indeed made up of a disproportionate amount of Jews.
Israel has based so much of its "image" on myths it is also no wonder that people now question their propaganda and their interpretation of events more critically. Their attacks on civilians in Lebanon and Gaza; their denials of the use of white phosphorous obviously creates hostility towards them.
Maybe the Jewish members of our society should distance themselves from the zionist extremes and military excesses and be more critical of Israel. The activities of many Jewish groups seems to concentrate upon the acceptance and propagaton of zionist myths and the denegration of Palestinian rights. No-one attacks Jews per se but only those who represent the Israeli Govt's propaganda and Israel.
Point 2. It will always be a risk.
Of course there will always be a risk of anti-semitism on campus. When you get a lot of people with wildly differing ideas is somewhere that encourages freedom and gives students a lot of time there is a chance that there will be some people who will make use of that time to protest against Israel which may spill over in to anti-semitism.
However if the question is are they at much more risk than anywhere else, then probably not. There will be certain high profile events such as the cancellation of pro-Israeli speakers and anti-Israel marches as these are the kind of things that happen in politically active universities, but is anti-israelism anti-semitism? sometimes but often not. Are Jewish students more at risk on campus than they would be if they were equally visible elsewhere? probably not. Such anti-semitism is a growing worry everywhere and campuses are not much different in that regard.
Point 1. This anti-Israel trend is worrying, but it isn't antisemitism
The anti-Israel attacks, the marches, the vile lies spread about our homeland are disgusting. The people who come to speak, who spread hate and call for Israel's destruction must be stopped.
But I do not believe British students are antisemitic. They do not hate Jews but they naturally side with the underdog. They like to believe they are fighting injustice. It is actually a compliment that we are not seen as the persecuted underdog any more but a worthy power to be taken seriously. These kids don't hate Jews. But Jewish students are paying for their boundless enthusiasm for any tom, dick or harry cause.
I am uncertain where to put this, but here goes anyway. I was chairman of the Jewish Society in a London college in the late sixties(of the last century :>)). The college was littered with anti-Semitic literature provided mainly by the childen of Arab diplomats. I remember particularly Syrians an Jordanians doing this.
The UN chairman, who was meant to be neutral, was a Jew-hater and once tried to threaten me by waving a gun in front of me.
I would ask Jewish students to take heed. The Jewish students who are anti-Israel should also take note that Jew-haters don't give a hoot about your politics when it comes to who to attack.
The PA and Hamas are deemed legitimate governments when in actual fact they seem to be nothing but pseudo sovereignties insidiously planted by the Arab league in 1964 as the PLO. Since then absolutely nothing has changed in their murderous policies which are Israel's utter destruction. I challenge you to Google the Palestinian charter which bears no reference at all to a Jewish entity in the Middle East but that of its absolute destruction. The PLO, by definition, is the destruction of Israel and its legitimacy our demise. The Palestinians are unfortunate refugees forced to participate with self sacrifice in a murderous cause. A people cynically used to excuse wiping Israel of the map. The matter must and can be reversed! Setting up gatherings fighting for Arab freedom and dignity through pointing out atrocities and breach of human rights by the PA should do the trick. The following British commander would be a very good speaker: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NX6vyT8RzMo Secondly why doesn’t this breach of freedom of speech reach the mass media and the courts? For some odd reason when it comes to P.R. Jews are not to be seen. We always defend ourselves but never attack. As students who are not politically muffled by various loyalties you do not only have the privilege but an obligation to kick up a bloody fuss.
Point 2. No More Than Any Other Culture
Sure there's a lot of growing concern about what's happening in Israel and Palestine but that doesnt mean that they are any more at risk than other studants from other cultures. There's always a risk of racism and xenaphobic behaviour from ignorent studants but the situation in Isreal hasn't made that moreso for Jews than any other religion. There's a lot of stigma associated with Islam still because of all the terrorist attacks supposedly linked to the religion and the state of affairs in Pakistan/Iraq/Iran etc. doesn't mean that they are more likely to recieve abuse for what they believe than Jewish studants.