Jewish college students shunned by anti-Semitic housemates as 1 in 5 do not wish to flat share
One in five students admit they would avoid sharing a flat with Jewish peers, according to a new report into anti-Semitism.
Research from The Union of Jewish Students (UJS) suggests anti-Semitism has been ‘normalised’ following a spate of incidents on campuses across the UK.
Polling of 1,000 students from all walks of life found 20 per cent admitted they would be ‘reluctant’ to, or ‘would never’ share a flat with a Jewish student.
In addition, the report found that nearly one in four students, or 23 per cent, has seen behaviour that targets Jewish students for their religion or ethnicity.
In one shocking incident, graffiti appeared at Essex University’s student union reading: ‘F*** Jews’, while Bristol University leaflets were handed out featuring a Star of David intertwined with a swastika.
Louis Danker, president of the UJS, said: ‘This report demonstrates that anti-Semitism on campus is not isolated, but normalised.
One in five students admit they would avoid sharing a flat with Jewish peers, according to a new report into anti-Semitism (pictured: students at Glasgow University last year appearing to glorify the October 7 attacks)
Research from The Union of Jewish Students (UJS) suggests anti-Semitism has been ‘normalised’ following a spate of incidents on campuses across the UK (pictured: grafitti at the student union of Essex University)
Polling of 1,000 students from all walks of life found 20 per cent admitted they would be ‘reluctant’ to, or ‘would never’ share a house with a Jewish student (pictured: graffiti on the Jewish centre at Leeds University)
‘No Jewish student should have to face social ostracisation, abusive language or physical violence – there is a right to protest, but not to harass.’
The report also warned that ‘glorification of terrorism is prevalent and unpunished’.
The poll found 49 per cent of students have heard slogans promoting proscribed groups on campus such as Hamas or Hezbollah.
In addition, 47 per cent have witnessed justification of the Oct 7 attacks.
At City St George’s University in London, an image of an Orthodox Jew appeared on a whiteboard with the caption: ‘This room was promised to him 3,000 years ago’.
Meanwhile, an image was circulated on social media depicting a skull with the words: ‘Put the Zios in the ground’.
It comes after the Community Security Trust (CST), a charity which monitors anti-Semitism in the UK, recorded 308 incidents per month on average in 2025.
That is double the monthly average of 154 incidents in the year preceding the Oct 7 attack in 2023.
At City St George’s University in London, an image of an Orthodox Jew appeared on a whiteboard with the caption: ‘This room was promised to him 3,000 years ago’
An image was circulated on social media depicting a skull with the words: ‘Put the Zios in the ground’
Baroness Berger, a Labour peer, said: ‘Jewish students continue to be attacked at the hands of the same people, year after year after year. What will British campuses feel like for Jewish students when my own children, now aged just six and eight, reach university age? The persistent lack of awareness, understanding and refusal to learn the lessons of the past are what makes this report so vital.’
The report also found that 26 per cent of students believe that calling for Zionists to be removed from campus is not anti-Semitic.
Meanwhile, 24 per cent believe that saying Zionists control the media and government is not anti-Semitic and 18 per cent believe that saying ‘globalise the intifada’ is not.
Some 13 per cent believe that heckling Jews and shouting ‘Free Palestine’ is not anti-Semitic and 11 per cent believe that denying or downplaying the Holocaust is not.
Among the case studies cited by the UJS report include one third year student at the University of Exeter who confronted a fellow student who told people not to be friends with him because he is a Zionist.
He said: ‘She knew nothing about me, but told me to “f— off” with a whole audience of students watching. I tried to explain that I wanted to have a respectful conversation with her, but she refused, saying she doesn’t talk to Zionists.
‘She then became enraged, saying I support the genocide of children. I tried to explain that is wrong and not true, but by this point she was swearing and raising her voice and everyone was watching. I went home and cried. Somebody said they wanted to punch me in the face because I am a Zionist at a club night.’
In summer 2024, a Jewish student was beaten up in a nightclub. His shirt was ripped, his back was covered in scratches and cuts, and a drink was thrown in his face.
The report also cited an example in Leeds of a student wearing a kippah being followed home and heckled with ‘Free Palestine’ chants and ‘verbal abuse’ by someone brandishing a glass bottle.
In Birmingham, one Jewish student was followed home to chants of ‘Free Palestine’. The pursuers climbed the lamp post outside their house, rang the doorbell multiple times and lingered outside for several nights. They told passers-by to ‘remember this address as Jews live here’.
The UJS report found that protests had disrupted learning for 65 per cent of students and 40 per cent had altered their journey on campus to avoid disruption.
Karen Newman, of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, described the report as a ‘wake-up call’.
She told the Telegraph: ‘It is not for Jews to shrink their identity on campus to fit in, but for universities to ensure they are welcome and tolerant places for all.’
The polling, by JL Partners, was weighted to reflect the student population.
A Government spokesman said: ‘There is no place for antisemitism on university campuses, and it is essential that Jewish students feel safe, along with everyone regardless of race, religion…
‘The Education Secretary has asked Sir David Bell to lead a review into anti-Semitism at schools and colleges, to ensure they are better able to prevent, identify and respond effectively to antisemitism and all other forms of hatred and prejudice.’
