Real-life stories
Antisemitism is a growing problem in UK schools. These experiences show how antisemitism has impacted different people in the UK, including children, parents and teachers.
*All names have been changed to protect their identity
Angela’s* experience
‘My 13 year old son was threatened with beheading by older students at school because he is Jewish. It was totally unprovoked and he was terrified. The school police liaison interviewed the students and reported back to me that in all other respects they were model students and then I got an enlightening lecture about right wing extremism.’
Paul’s* experience
‘I’ve been teaching for about 15 years now. Since October 7th, it’s been on another level: graffiti, comments about Jews killing babies, Jews taking over the world, calling us Nazis and even spitting at us in the street. Lots of these kids are picking this up outside of school and via social media and bringing it into the classroom.’
Max’s* experience
‘I see the comments about us on Snapchat all the time. I don’t understand why people are allowed to pick on us and nothing happens.’
Tessa’s* experience
‘As a second-year undergraduate student, I have been spat at and shouted at as well as not allowed to enter certain areas in the university. I have been told I should have “died in the gas chambers”.’