This week, CFI Parliamentary Chairman (Commons) Rt. Hon. Stephen Crabb MP wrote to Bristol University Vice-Chancellor Professor Hugh Brady expressing concerns that the University had failed to act after reports of a “troubling pattern of behaviour” from the University lecturer Professor David Miller came to light.
Professor Miller has contended that it is “fundamental to Zionism to encourage Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism”, and used graphics in lectures depicting Israel as subverting British society by controlling various Jewish communal bodies and organisations which led to a complaint against the lecturer in 2019.
In the letter, Mr Crabb, who is an alumnus of the University of Bristol, said that Professor Miller’s remarks have “made Jewish students feel unsafe on campus, evidenced by their testimonies”.
After meeting with senior management at Bristol University this week, the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) said the University had “failed to give concrete steps” on how it will “protect [its] Jewish students from hatred and racism both physically and digitally”.
“By failing to take action, Bristol University has sent a clear message that its lecturers can espouse antisemitic views without consequence”, Mr Crabb wrote.
On Wednesday, the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) and Bristol University Jewish Society held an online rally attended by hundreds, calling on the University to take action.
Yesterday, CFI Officer Christian Wakeford MP called for a debate in Parliament on “the need to improve university complaints procedures, which are failing Jewish students”.
In response, Leader of the House of Commons Rt. Hon. Jacob Rees-Mogg MP said the UK Government expects “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”.
He described Professor Miller’s remarks as “deeply wicked” and said that “antisemitism is one of the most evil creeds and thoughts”.
