UK Universities Urged to Tackle Antisemitism or Face Funding Cuts

[Social Media]

 

Sir Vernon Bogdanor, a distinguished academic at King’s College London and former professor at the University of Oxford, has called for government funding cuts to universities failing to address antisemitism effectively. He argues that institutions not adequately combating discrimination are in violation of the Equality Act 2010 and must face consequences to ensure accountability.  

 

Bogdanor's remarks come in the wake of an open letter, signed by hundreds of academics, directed to Lord Hague of Richmond, the newly appointed chancellor of Oxford University. The letter condemned a recent Oxford Union debate on Israel, during which a motion was passed labelling the nation as an "apartheid state responsible for genocide." The letter claimed the event subjected Jewish students to antisemitism and intimidation, thereby violating the law.  

 

Criticizing the event, Bogdanor, 81, remarked, “It wasn’t a debate in any sense. It was a kangaroo court with comments which were antisemitic and were against the law. It is also fairly clear that there was so much intimidation that several students were rather frightened to attend. So, it wasn’t really a proper debate of the sort that the Oxford Union ought to have.”  

 

Under the Equality Act 2010, discrimination based on religion or belief is prohibited, and the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 classifies incitement to racial hatred as a hate crime. At the Oxford debate, one speaker reportedly described an attack on Israel as "heroism," leading to criticism over the event's inflammatory rhetoric and alleged intimidation. Jonathan Sacerdoti, a Holocaust survivor’s son and the opposing speaker, accused the Union of promoting "bigotry, hatred, and mob rule."  

 

Bogdanor clarified his stance on the matter, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue. “There are no grounds for stopping a debate on the Gaza war and Israeli policies in the Union. There should be such a debate, and students are entitled to feel strongly on both sides of the issue. But as I said, there was freedom of speech for those who were hostile to Israeli policies and not for those who wished to defend them, and that’s not a debate,” he said. He noted that such incidents reflect troubling attitudes among some students.  

 

The issue of antisemitism is not isolated to Oxford. At Cambridge University, pro-Palestinian protests during graduation ceremonies disrupted events for hundreds of students. In response, the university warned the Cambridge for Palestine movement of potential legal action while affirming its support for peaceful protest. However, it condemned the disruptions caused by these demonstrations.  

 

The broader conflict in Gaza has heightened tensions on university campuses across the U.K., prompting calls for decisive action. In May, government ministers urged universities to address antisemitic abuse and ensure that protests do not interfere with academic life. Bogdanor believes such measures should remain a priority under future governments.  

 

“Rishi Sunak reminded [universities] of their responsibilities, and I think Keir Starmer should do the same,” he said. Drawing a comparison to the U.S., Bogdanor pointed out that former President Donald Trump had threatened to cut federal funding from universities failing to address antisemitism. “I don’t think Keir Starmer should appear to be less diligent in dealing with racism than Donald Trump,” he added.  

 

Universities UK, the representative organization for the country’s higher education institutions, declined to comment, stating it was unable to address individual cases.  

 

As debates over free speech, discrimination, and campus safety continue, Bogdanor’s calls for funding cuts underscore the urgency of holding universities accountable for creating inclusive and respectful environments for all students.

 

Based on a report by The Times 2024-12-10

 

Related Topics:

Oxford Union Faces Anti-Terror Probe Into Israel Debate

Oxford Union Society Debate - Is Israel an Apartheid State?

 

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

Not a fan of free speech then.

[Bkk Brian]

2 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Not a fan of free speech then.

Not a fan of the law then? Up for supporting terrorists then?

 

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

Under the Equality Act 2010, discrimination based on religion or belief is prohibited, and the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 classifies incitement to racial hatred as a hate crime. At the Oxford debate, one speaker reportedly described an attack on Israel as "heroism," leading to criticism over the event's inflammatory rhetoric and alleged intimidation. Jonathan Sacerdoti, a Holocaust survivor’s son and the opposing speaker, accused the Union of promoting "bigotry, hatred, and mob rule."  

 

[Chomper Higgot]

2 hours ago, Bkk Brian said:

Not a fan of the law then? Up for supporting terrorists then?

 

 

Well he does mention kangaroo courts.

 

 

[JimHuaHin]

Antisemitism or anti-genocide/ethnocide?

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

35 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Well he does mention kangaroo courts.

 

 

And? What has that to do with my response to @thaibeachlovers who seems to think that free speech allows you to support terrorism? And also happens to be against UK Laws.

 

"At the Oxford debate, one speaker reportedly described an attack on Israel as "heroism,"

 

Supporting terrorism is illegal. 

[JonnyF]

Fighting a losing battle I am afraid.

 

UK Universities are quite radically left wing so it was inevitable that anti-semitism would raise it's ugly head. Like night follows day. 

[Chomper Higgot]

1 hour ago, Bkk Brian said:

And? What has that to do with my response to @thaibeachlovers who seems to think that free speech allows you to support terrorism? And also happens to be against UK Laws.

 

"At the Oxford debate, one speaker reportedly described an attack on Israel as "heroism,"

 

Supporting terrorism is illegal. 

Supporting terrorism is against UK laws.

 

Statements made at the debate are allegedly against UK laws.

 

That’s where the ‘kangaroo court’ jumps in.

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Supporting terrorism is against UK laws.

 

Statements made at the debate are allegedly against UK laws.

 

That’s where the ‘kangaroo court’ jumps in.

You didn't watch the video did you. They were clearly breaking laws you can jump around with kangaroos all you want. 

[Chomper Higgot]

2 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

You didn't watch the video did you. They were clearly breaking laws you can jump around with kangaroos all you want. 

No need for an investigation then, no need for courts or juries, dispense with trials dish out the punishment, and make it collective punishment for good measure.

 

Or let’s see what the investigation turns up and let the justice system deal with any alleged crimes.

 

 

 

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

5 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

No need for an investigation then, no need for courts or juries, dispense with trials fish out the punishment, and make it collective punishment fir good measure.

 

Why? The UK does not have kangaroo courts it has a justice system that looks at the evidence. Plenty of that.

 

Good to see your ensuring the terrorist supporters have a fair say. More than they allowed the Israel debate where they abused and shouted them down.

 

EDIT: You edited after my response, well done     lol

[Chomper Higgot]

15 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Why? The UK does not have kangaroo courts it has a justice system that looks at the evidence. Plenty of that.

 

Good to see your ensuring the terrorist supporters have a fair say. More than they allowed the Israel debate where they abused and shouted them down.

 

EDIT: You edited after my response, well done     lol

You need to take that up with Sir Vernon Bogdanor, he’s the guy that brought up Kangaroo courts, but I think I mentioned that earlier. 
 

I’m not ensuring anything Brian, alleged or otherwise.

 

I’m very supportive of due process in the administration of justice.

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

You need to take that up with Sir Vernon Bogdanor, he’s the guy that brought up Kangaroo courts, but I think I mentioned that earlier. 
 

I’m not ensuring anything Brian, alleged or otherwise.

 

I’m very supportive of due process in the administration of justice.

 

 

No I don't, I don't need to take up anything with Bogdanor, I did not quote him on the Kangaroo courts, you decided to bring that in. 

 

Yes you are indeed supportive of due process for the accused terrorist supporters. I agree but then already mentioned that once.

[Chomper Higgot]

14 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

No I don't, I don't need to take up anything with Bogdanor, I did not quote him on the Kangaroo courts, you decided to bring that in. 

 

Yes you are indeed supportive of due process for the accused terrorist supporters. I agree but then already mentioned that once.

I’m supportive of due process for anyone accused of any crime, no matter what the crime nor no matter who is the accused.

 

I’m delighted you recognise this.

[Bkk Brian]

25 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I’m supportive of due process for anyone accused of any crime, no matter what the crime nor no matter who is the accused.

 

I’m delighted you recognise this.

Which in this case happens to be alleged terrorists supporters, yes I know you are supportive and ensuring you are very vocal about this case, why do you keep repeating it? Just be proud and stand up for justice for alledged hate and terror supporting speech.

[Patong2021]

2 hours ago, JimHuaHin said:

Antisemitism or anti-genocide/ethnocide?

 

Antisemitism. Most of the protests have singled out  followers of the jewish faith, or people who were presumed to be of jewish faith . The protests have gone beyond advocating a political position to one of calling for death and injury to  jews and of promoting violence.

In effec overt and blatant discrimination.

[billd766]

Don't just make it anti Semitism, but apply it to ALL religions and even to sects within each religion, In Christianity between Protestants and Catholics, in the Muslim religion, between Sunni and Shia and apply the same rule to ALL religions worldwide.

 

Alternatively ban ALL religions worldwide, as they are the most cause of all the wars since religion was invented thousands of years ago.

[Bkk Brian]

Just now, billd766 said:

Don't just make it anti Semitism, but apply it to ALL religions and even to sects within each religion, In Christianity between Protestants and Catholics, in the Muslim religion, between Sunni and Shia and apply the same rule to ALL religions worldwide.

 

Alternatively ban ALL religions worldwide, as they are the most cause of all the wars since religion was invented thousands of years ago.

Tell that to the terror supporters who blurted out the hate speech and anti Semitism.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 12/10/2024 at 8:38 PM, billd766 said:

Alternatively ban ALL religions worldwide,

Good luck with that. I'm not religious, but that has as much chance of happening as Netanyahu and the Iranian leader singing Kumbaya together around the campfire.

 

Just who would enforce such a dictat?

[thaibeachlovers]

On 12/10/2024 at 2:48 PM, JonnyF said:

Fighting a losing battle I am afraid.

 

UK Universities are quite radically left wing so it was inevitable that anti-semitism would raise it's ugly head. Like night follows day. 

Not everyone considers it to be anti semitism, and it's likely that a lot of people do not consider what was said to be anti semitism.