Pro-Israel group gets £1m from UK government to ‘identify’ antisemitism

The British government has allocated a £1 million funding package to the Union of Jewish Students (UJS), a pro-Israel organization, to deliver antisemitism training across universities. This initiative aims to equip university staff with tools to identify and address harassment and hate, fostering open and respectful debate on campuses. The Department for Education (DfE) announced the plan on Sunday, emphasizing that universities failing to protect Jewish students could face regulatory action. The UJS, which describes itself as the ‘voice of Jewish students,’ has ties to the World Zionist Organization, a group known for funding illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Critics argue that the training program, based on the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, may stifle legitimate criticism of Israel. The announcement follows heightened tensions in the UK, including student protests against the Gaza conflict and antisemitic attacks. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is set to meet with university leaders and faith groups to ensure student safety. Meanwhile, new protest restrictions introduced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood have sparked controversy, with critics labeling them as authoritarian. The UJS has faced scrutiny for its pro-Israel advocacy and alleged funding from the Israeli embassy, raising questions about its role in shaping campus discourse.