Bristol University fails to prevent repeated Open Day anti-Israel disruptions
Masked student protestors shouted 'Free Palestine' amid calls for institution to sever ties with companies allegedly linked to the arming of Israel
The University of Bristol faces accusations of failing to prevent anti-Israel open day disruptions, despite commitments that it would do so following similar incidents last year.
Advocacy group UK Lawyers for Israel have written to the institution expressing serious concern, telling Jewish News that despite previous warnings and commitments from the University to review its protocols, this latest disruption raises significant questions about whether adequate action was taken.
During the Friday 11th June Open Day for potential applicants to Bristol University and their parents, a group of current students, some masked and carrying banners, entered the lecture theatre, took over the podium, and delivered a political message for approximately three minutes of the scheduled thirty-minute talk.
UK Lawyers for Israel claim the protesters urged “Free Palestine” and demanded the University sever ties with companies allegedly linked to the arming of Israel.
One of the parents present with her daughter called the event “shocking and upsetting for us”.
This incident mirrors similar disruptions that occurred during last year’s Open Days, which were the subject of previous correspondence between UKLFI and the University.
UKLFI had highlighted the serious impact of those protests, including the harassment of attendees through the creation of an intimidating, hostile, and offensive environment for Jewish, Israeli and Zionist audience members.
The conduct appeared to contravene the Equality Act 2010, UKLFI said, and may also have constituted criminal offences under the Public Order Act 1986 and the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, in addition to contravening the University’s own policies on acceptable behaviour and freedom of speech.
In its response last year, the University had stated that it would review its security and protest protocols and seek input from relevant community organisations to inform that process. It also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive campus for all.
However, the recurrence of similar conduct at this year’s Open Day suggests that the University failed to implement effective preventative measures.
A UKLFI spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that the University did not act on the concerns we raised last year and allowed similar disruption to occur again. We hope that the University will now treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves and take effective steps to prevent such incidents at future events.”
A University of Bristol spokesperson told Jewish News that they met with the concerned parents and daughter from the open day “and subsequently to apologise and to discuss their concerns which we take very seriously. Our open days are rigorously planned, and we have protocols in place which we continuously review and make improvements.
“We support the right to freedom of expression and to engage in protest when it is lawful and peaceful, and understand the deeply held concerns that many in our community feel about the situation in Israel and Gaza.
“We work very closely with our JSoc on campus to ensure that Jewish students, and indeed every student at the University of Bristol, feels safe and fully supported.”
UJS on behalf of Bristol JSoc said: “We have been directly engaging with the university on this matter consistently since June. It is disappointing to see prospective Jewish Students entering into an unwelcoming atmosphere on campus.
“Bristol JSoc, alongside UJS, continue to be in consistent productive dialogue with the Student Union and University in pursuit of another meaningful and exciting year for Jewish Students in Bristol. We look forward to welcoming all Jewish students onto campus in Bristol and across the UK and Ireland in September.’
- Jewish News has approached the University of Bristol and UJS for comment.
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