The Oxford University Jewish Society (JSoc) released a statement condemning “anti-Semitic incitements to violence” used by students during recent protests. In particular, the student society condemned the refrain “From Oxford to Gaza / Long live the Intifada,” writing that “during the last Intifada, thousands of people were killed in random acts of terror.” While JSoc “hoped this call to violence was an aberration,” the statement said “it has now become clear that it is being used frequently at protests.”
The protests in question have been organised by several Oxford societies over the past three weeks. Other recurrent chants from protestors have included “From the River to the Sea / Palestine will be free” and “One, two, three, four / Occupation no more.” The next demonstration is expected to take place on 1 November and will consist of a march from Manzil Way to Bonn Square.
JSoc emphasised the importance of distinguishing between the state policy of Israel and the Jewish diaspora in such protests. It urged the Oxford Palestinian Society (PalSoc) and the Oxford Marxist Society to recognize this distinction, writing “we call on these groups to publicly acknowledge that Jews in the UK are not responsible for the conflict in the Middle East, and that any attempts to assert our responsibility are inherently anti-Semitic.”
JSoc also called on the two other student societies to “cease using the chant and unequivocally condemn anti-Semitism.”
According to the announcement, JSoc has reached out to these groups through private channels and asked them to publicly condemn anti-Semitism, but neither society has responded to the requests.
A previous social media announcement from JSoc was posted in response to an attack on an Oxford mosque and read as follows: “We are saddened and disturbed by the Islamophobic attack on a mosque in Oxford yesterday morning. The targeting of Muslims in the UK due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is unacceptable, and we stand with our Muslim neighbours during this difficult time.”
The Oxford Palestine Society has been approached for comment.
