Minister warns of antisemitism in HE

Speaking at a rally organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group against antisemitism and the Union of Jewish Students on 28 January, Minister for Higher Education, David Lammy spoke of the need to combat antisemitism in higher education.

Mr Lammy said that criticising the actions of the Israeli state is not inherently antisemitic. However he went on to warn that:

'Just as racism has often hidden behind spurious neuroscience, genetics or anthropology, so antisemitism sometimes cloaks itself in criticism of the State of Israel.'

' ... Should Jews or Israelis be persecuted or boycotted in British universities because the Israeli government has done something of which most people disapprove? No, that is not right and it's not just.'

The Minister also announced the creation of a sub-group of the cross-government working group on antisemitism to focus specifically on higher education.

• Combating antisemitism in higher education - David Lammy's speech