(Harlow) (Con) [V]: May we have an urgent statement on
antisemitism at Bristol university? Jewish students have
demonstrated at the Bristol university campus about the alleged
actions of Professor David Miller; he has allegedly described
Zionism as “the enemy” and referred to the Union of Jewish
Students as an “Israel lobby group” which makes Arab and Muslim
students unsafe. It is also alleged that he criticised Jewish
students for manufacturing a
“charade of false anti-Semitism allegations”.
The university management cares nothing, sees nothing and does
nothing about this; they appear to regard Jewish students as an
inconvenience and a nuisance, and refuse to take serious action.
Jewish students are clearly not welcome; they do not feel safe or
valued at this university, and, sadly, history teaches us where
this ends. I have written to the vice-chancellor of Bristol
university this week and urge my right hon. Friend to ask the
Minister for Universities to intervene.
Mr Rees-Mogg: My right hon Friend raises a deeply concerning
issue. There is absolutely no place for antisemitism, and it is
appalling to hear that Jewish students have reported antisemitism
at Bristol university. My hon. Friend the Member for Bury South
() raised
this matter with me last week and I have passed it on to the
Secretary of State for Education and the Minister for
Universities. We expect higher education providers to be at the
forefront of tackling antisemitism, making sure that higher
education is a genuinely fulfilling and welcoming experience for
everyone. Providers ought to have robust policies and procedures
in place to comply with the law to investigate and swiftly
address hate crime, including any antisemitic incidents reported.
I say to my right hon. Friend that, in light of the history of
the last century, it seems to me that, of all prejudices,
antisemitism is the most wicked; it has no place in our society,
and universities must be part of ensuring that antisemitism
ceases to exist.
