Antisemitism on the rise at universities, charity warns
A report from the Community Security Trust indicates that antisemitic incidents at UK universities have risen in the 2025-26 academic year. While numbers remain below the post-October 7 peak, they are significantly higher than pre-conflict levels, prompting calls for a zero-tolerance approach from the government.
Why it matters
The rise in campus-based hate incidents highlights ongoing social tensions and safety concerns for Jewish students and staff within higher education institutions.
Image source, Getty Images By Hazel Shearing Education correspondent Published 30 September 2026, 01:36 BST Cases of antisemitism affecting university students and staff in the UK increased in the last academic year, according to a charity that monitors antisemitic incidents.
The Community Security Trust (CST) said it had recorded 95 "university-related" incidents in the 2025-26 academic year - up from 83 the year before.
It said the number had fallen from its peak in the year after Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023 and the war in Gaza began, but remains "substantially higher" than before that point.
Universities UK (UUK) represents more than 140 institutions and said its members needed to "protect Jewish students and staff", adding that the findings were a "serious concern".
Lucy Powell, education secretary in England, said the findings in the CST report were "deeply troubling".
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