Antisemitism at UK universities is increasing, security charity says

Antisemitism at UK Universities Rises Sharply Since 2023, Report Finds

Significant Increase in Antisemitic Incidents on British Campuses

Overview of the Report

LONDON, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Antisemitism at British universities is on the rise, with incidents up nearly 80% from before the October 2023 attacks by Hamas on Israel, a report by a charity which provides security advice to Britain's Jewish community said on Wednesday.

Key Findings from the Community Security Trust (CST)

Incident Statistics and Trends

• The Community Security Trust (CST) said it had recorded 178 university-related antisemitic incidents between the 2024 to 2026 academic years, with a 14% increase during 2025/26.

• In total there were 95 incidents in 2025/26. That compared to 53 recorded in 2022/23, the last year before the Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent Israeli assault on Gaza.

Types of Antisemitic Incidents

Abusive Behaviour and Violence

• Most incidents involved abusive behaviour, such as verbal abuse, antisemitic comments, or graffiti aimed at students, staff or Jewish organisations. But there were two incidents of extreme violence in 2024/25 and six assaults across the two-year period.

Incidents Involving University Staff

• During the two years covered by the report, 16 antisemitic incidents were perpetrated by university staff, the CST said.

Response from Officials

• "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," British education minister Lucy Powell said.

Reporting and Editorial Information

(Reporting by Michael Holden; editing by William James)