UUK statements and resources related to conflict in the Middle East

Our statement published 18 October 2023

Campus communities across the UK will be deeply affected by the terrorist attacks by Hamas and Israel’s military response, and the tragic loss of civilian life.

We believe that our priority as Universities UK, and the priority of our member universities, is to ensure that our campuses remain safe for all our students and staff. We will do everything we can to prevent hate crime, antisemitism, Islamophobia, and intolerance, and support our universities to respond appropriately if incidents involving these take place. In line with the sector’s clear commitment to freedom of speech, it is important that universities enable and support students and staff to debate and discuss this crisis, and the most challenging issues it raises, within the law, and with respect and tolerance.

Universities UK has produced guidance on freedom of speech on campus, and on tackling antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of harassment, and we have recirculated this guidance in the last week. We have been clear that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK and signalling support, including moral support or expressing an opinion or belief that is supportive, is a criminal offence, as outlined in the Terrorism Act (2000).

We will continue to bring universities together to share their approaches to managing campus relations in this extremely difficult period.

Our statement published 10 October 2023

Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation and signalling support, including moral support or expressing an opinion or belief that is supportive, is a criminal offence, as outlined in the Terrorism Act (2000). Any student or staff member found to be supporting Hamas will be in breach of UK law, and universities treat this with the utmost seriousness.

Any discrimination or intimidation against students or staff resulting from the attacks in Israel is absolutely unacceptable, and we urge any students facing antisemitism, islamophobia or harassment or discrimination of any kind to inform their university and seek support.

Communication from UUK Chief Executive, Vivienne Stern MBE, to the UCU on maintaining good campus relations

'As you know campus communities across the UK have been deeply affected by the terrorist attacks by Hamas and Israel’s military response, and the tragic loss of civilian life.

We believe that our priority as Universities UK, and the priority of our member universities, is to ensure that our campuses remain safe for all our students and staff, and I am writing to ask for your support in this.

I believe we need to work together to do all we can to prevent hate crime, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and intolerance, and support our universities to respond appropriately if incidents involving these take place. In line with the sector’s clear commitment to freedom of speech, it is also important that we work together to enable and support students and staff to debate and discuss this crisis, and the most challenging issues it raises, within the law, and with respect and tolerance.

Universities UK has produced guidance on freedom of speech on campus, and on tackling Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of harassment, and we have recirculated this guidance in the last week to our members. We have been clear that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK and signalling support, including moral support or expressing an opinion or belief that is supportive, is a criminal offence, as outlined in the Terrorism Act (2000).

Universities also need to comply with the Prevent duty, which aims to stop people from becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism and are required to act if unlawful incitement to violence is called for.

I am writing to ask that you consider circulating this and/or other appropriate guidance to your members and remind them, as we have, that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK.'

Reporting

Antisemitic incidents can be reported to the Community Security Trust. Jewish students can also contact the Union of Jewish Students for support via their Welfare Hotline on 020 7424 3288.

Support and information about Islamophobia can be found on the Muslim Council of Britain’s website. Islamophobic incidents can be reported to Tell MAMA.

Any hate crime can be reported to the police here.

Victim Support is an independent charity that supports victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales.

Guidance

UUK publications

External guidance

NUS: Middle East Response Guidance for students, students’ unions, officers and student groups
Solutions Not Sides: Israel-Palestine: Avoiding Antisemitic and Islamophobic Hate Speech
Advance HE: Updated guidance on Promoting Good Relations