Campus antisemitism remained significantly higher than pre-October 7 levels in 2025-2026, despite numbers falling since 2023-2024, a Community Security Trust (CST) report detailing antisemitic incidents on or tied to college campuses revealed on Wednesday.
A total of 178 university-related antisemitic incidents were recorded as having occurred during the two years in question, with 83 incidents in 2024-2025 and 95 in 2025-2026.
In comparison, in the final academic year before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, 53 antisemitic attacks tied to college campuses were reported to have occurred.
Among the incidents, the majority (149 out of 178) were categorized as abusive behavior, including verbal abuse and antisemitic comments as well as graffiti and written abuse.
There were also two incidents classified as “extreme violence,” six assaults, eight incidents of damage and desecration to Jewish property (including five that took place within student accommodations), 10 direct threats, and three instances of “mass-produced antisemitic literature.”
These incidents took place both in person and online, with the most common platform used to commit university-related antisemitic incidents being Instagram.
Sixteen of the antisemitic incidents had been done by university staff and faculty, the CST report described, while 61 were committed by students. Another 28 instances were committed by student societies or their representatives.
Antisemitic attacks done with political motive tied to Gaza, Israel
The majority of the antisemitic attacks and incidents had been done with some political motive, with many of them tied to Israel, Gaza, or October 7.
According to CST, 62% of the incidents had some reference to Israel, Gaza, Hamas, October 7, or the ensuing war. Another 26% referenced Hitler, Nazis, or the Holocaust.
“These figures show that Jews are still facing a very serious campus antisemitism problem,” said CST Chief Executive Mark Gardner.
“Universities have a duty to ensure that Jewish students and staff can study, work, and participate on campus the same as anyone else. Sympathy is not enough; it needs action against those who abuse, threaten, or target Jews, whether they are students, staff or external activists.”
Education secretary stands against antisemitism
UK Education Secretary Lucy Powell emphasized in response to the report that the English education system had “no place” for antisemitism.
“No student should have to choose between expressing their identity and feeling safe on campus, yet for too many Jewish students that remains a reality,” she said. “We expect universities to take a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism, and are providing training to help university staff identify and respond to incidents swiftly.”
UK government advisor on antisemitism Lord John Mann said that “Those incapable of civility need to be challenged by their university.
“Those who target abuse and threats need to be disciplined, and in extreme examples they should forfeit the privileges afforded to those who work or study in our centers of learning.”
