Uni scraps Arab-Israeli conflict course after one lecture over alleged ‘antisemitic comment’
University of Birmingham would not directly answer Jewish News' questions, simple stating the module had been abruptly shelved due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
The University of Birmingham this week remained tight-lipped on allegations of antisemitic comments being made in politics lectures that led to a module on the Arab-Israeli conflict being cancelled.
In an email sent on Monday from Prof. René Lindstädt, head of the University’s School of Government, Masters students were told that the module on ‘The Politics of the Arab-Israeli Conflict’ had been shelved after one lecture due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
A source familiar with the matter, who wished to remain anonymous, said the action had been taken “after an antisemitic comment was made” in the first lecture last Monday, adding that uni bosses were left concerned about the impact on students’ mental health.
Asked to confirm the reasons for the module cancellation and whether antisemitic comments had been made, the university only repeated that the module “was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances”.
A spokesperson added: “We apologise for any disappointment this may have caused to students and are pleased to say that we will be offering an alternative module covering similar issues during the next semester.”
The allegedly antisemitic comments are believed to have been made by a female student during the first lesson of the Semester 1 module. “She started making the comments in the lecture, with people leaving during the half-way break because they felt so uncomfortable,” said the source. “It was Rosh Hashanah, too.”
It is understood that a series of meetings were then held in the days following the comments, together with students and the module lead. Around 20 students were enrolled onto the module.
Jewish News has been told that the female student was asked to choose a different module, but that the university could not guarantee that she would not attend future lectures, which led to disquiet and ultimately to the module’s cancellation. The university, which has traditionally be a popular choice for Jewish students, did not elaborate following requests for clarification.
“We note some students may have a specific interest in this topic and will therefore feel disappointed by this announcement,” said Lindstädt in her email. “We will be offering an alternative module covering similar issues – ethnic conflict and civil war”, adding that this would only begin in Semester 2.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
