UJS received high levels of recognition and praise for its work in supporting Jewish students on campus at the launch event of The Parliamentary Taskforce into Antisemitism’s report into the Jewish Experience in Higher Education.  

UJS received high levels of recognition and praise for its work in supporting Jewish students on campus at the launch event of The Parliamentary Taskforce into Antisemitism’s report into the Jewish Experience in Higher Education.  

UJS sabbatical officers – as well as incoming and outgoing Presidents, Edward Isaacs and Joel Rosen - attended the event in an official capacity alongside a number of current Jewish students.  

In a speech at the Houses of Parliament, Lord Mann restated the importance of and need to listen to Jewish students on campus, and UJS, in order to combat antisemitism.  

Speaking at the event Minister of State for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education, Robert Halfon MP, said of UJS: “[UJS] came to my office recently to talk about a number of things. I think it was [outgoing President] Joel [Rosen] and [Head of Campaigns] Guy [Dabby-Joory] who came, and I thought how lucky that Jewish students are to be represented by such a brilliant organisation. What an incredible organisation. The students who came in […] we had a vigorous discussion, agreed on some things and disagreed on others. UJS presented themselves brilliantly, and I’m deeply comforted to know that the Jewish students have the UJS around to look after them.”  

Mr Halfon also talked of the report’s comprehensiveness and rebutted criticisms of the IHRA definition of antisemitism. He also reiterated the importance of centring Jewish student voices in the fight against antisemitism. “One taskforce finding I wanted to highlight is – and this is a really good thing – not one of those 56 universities reported that the adoption of the IHRA definition had in any way restricted free speech. Absolutely no conflict in protecting free speech and ensuring that Jewish staff and students feel safe and able to bring themselves to academic life.” 

“Universities need to engage with their Jewish students and their elected representatives in JSocs and UJS to maintain awareness of issues affecting them”, Mr Halfon added.   

Parliamentarians speaking at the event – including Dame Margaret Hodge MP– also reminded attendees that antisemitism isn’t the defining issue of Jewish student life and praised the work of UJS – and in particular the work that is done to support 70+ JSocs, and all that they do on campus.  

Guy Dabby-Joory, UJS Head of Campaigns commented: “We are grateful to the taskforce for all the work that was done to create this report and for centring the voices of Jewish students throughout. We look forward to working with our campus partners to implement the recommendations and to seeing Jewish life on campus continue to thrive into the future. We thank Lord Mann, Robert Halfon, Dame Margaret Hodge, and Nicola Richards MP for their kind words and continual commitment to Jewish student life.”