Union of Jewish Students demand apology from Nigel Farage over alleged antisemitism
UJS presses for accountability and broader communal response following detailed claims by Jewish alumni
The Union of Jewish Students (UJS) has overwhelmingly passed a motion condemning Nigel Farage for alleged antisemitic and racist behaviour during his time as a pupil at Dulwich College.
The motion also calls on the Reform UK leader to apologise to Jewish alumni of the school.
Proposed by students from the Jewish Societies of Bristol, Edinburgh, and Nottingham, the motion also noted the mainstream communal organisations reluctance to comment on the allegations, which were first reported by The Guardian.
Jewish News understands the resolution received “overwhelming” support from delegates at the UJS national convention last weekend.
The motion highlighted The Guardian’s report on Tuesday, 18th November, which detailed claims that Farage had engaged in “vile and abusive antisemitism” as a student at Dulwich College.
Peter Ettedgui, a Jewish classmate of Farage and the grandson of refugees from Nazi Germany, alleged that Farage would “sidle up to [him] and growl: ‘Hitler was right,’ or ‘Gas them,’ sometimes adding a long hiss to simulate the sound of the gas showers.”
Farage was also accused of using racial slurs against Black and Asian students and telling them to “go home.”
These accusations have been corroborated by more than a dozen other Dulwich College alumni in the weeks following the initial report, including several former Jewish pupils.
Farage has denied all allegations, claiming those making them are politically motivated. However, Ettedgui and other alumni have dismissed Farage’s denials as “fundamentally dishonest.”
UJS stated that defending Jewish students and vocally opposing antisemitism in national politics is one of its “core missions.”
The motion emphasised that “it is never acceptable to make such remarks towards Jewish people, and that these comments are antisemitic regardless of ‘intent’.”
It also expressed “deep concern” to Jewish communal organisations, urging them to join UJS in writing to Farage and asking him to meet with leaders from across the Jewish community “to learn about Jewish life in 21st-century Britain.”
Attorney General Richard Hermer has also now weighed in, stating that Farage had “clearly deeply hurt” many people, based on their accounts, and that his “constantly changing” denials have been unconvincing.
Speaking to The Guardian, Hermer said: “Throughout his defensive responses to legitimate questions put to him, not once has Farage actually condemned antisemitism.”
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