The ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict continues to have a profound personal impact on many people within our community. Some have lost loved ones; others fear for family members in the region as the death toll and suffering continues on all sides.

Record numbers of hate crimes against Jewish people in the UK have been reported since the Hamas terrorist attacks of 7 October 2023. Incidents of Islamophobia have increased at an alarming rate over the same period.

As a University, we are proud to be a diverse, welcoming, and supportive community where everyone has the right to feel safe and to be themselves. Freedom of speech is a vital component of university life and is a principle we fully support. But it’s also important that students and staff approach these complex issues with sensitivity, compassion, and empathy for their peers.

Some students have told us of feeling uncomfortable and concerned by discussions on events in the Middle East - both informally, before and after lectures and seminars, and occasionally formally as part of specific classes.

We have shared the below guidance with academic colleagues to use where this is relevant before or after teaching sessions, and when speaking directly with students. These also act as good general guidance for our student community too.

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Guidance for our community

• The Israel-Gaza conflict continues to have a profound personal impact on many people within our community.
• Some have lost loved ones; others fear for family members in the region as the death toll and suffering continues on all sides.
• Reports of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia have risen sharply since the 7 October terrorist Hamas attacks and subsequent Israeli military invasion of Gaza.
• People understandably have strong and passionate views about the conflict, which they are fully entitled to express within the confines of freedom of speech and academic freedom.
• However, we know that sometimes these views can make some students feel deeply uncomfortable and unwelcome in what should be a safe space for them on campus, and within lectures and seminars.
• What I would please ask of you all is to show respect, kindness and empathy to each other during these difficult times.
• You will not necessarily know how different people within your cohort or in a specific teaching session have been impacted either directly or indirectly by the conflict. And many people do not want to debate the complex issues involved, or to feel compelled to share their thoughts, publicly.
• The meaning of words, slogans and terms are not always understood, nor their historic or cultural context and how they are interpreted by different faith groups. Please think carefully about the language and words you use.
• We would remind our community that Hamas is a proscribed terrorist organisation and that is illegal to support them.
• We do not tolerate any form of discrimination or abuse towards any individual or group and our culture is one that values diversity, respect, and understanding.
• Any incidents or concerns should be reported through our online Report and Support service. Help and support is available to anyone impacted by the traumatic events in the region.
• Thank you for your understanding. During troubling times, it’s even more important that we stand together as a community against any form of discrimination and support each other.

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Wellbeing support available

If you would like support, you can contact the Wellbeing & Student Support team via the wellbeing portal or by calling 024 7657 5570, or speak to your personal tutor.

Bereavement support from the Chaplaincy is also available to all.