University campuses have long been hubs of political activism. As young people form their own opinions away from their parents, many act passionately for causes they believe in. This includes the situation in Israel and Palestine, a regular feature of student debate in the US, UK and across Europe for decades.
This latest, brutal round of fighting between Israel and Hamas has heightened campus tensions dramatically.
Jewish students have said they fear for their safety due to incidents of antisemitism on campus. Others have reported feeling let down by university leadership for vague statements about the conflict. The UK’s education minister, Gillian Keegan, has written to university vice-chancellors in England about concern for the welfare of Jewish students.
