The University of Law has set out a series of actions and commitments in response to concerns raised by UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) regarding the experience of a Jewish student at its Moorgate campus.
The University has told UKLFI that it has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that all students are able to participate fully in university life “without fear of prejudice, discrimination, or any other form of unacceptable behaviour.”
UKLFI had written to the University on 26 March 2026 after being approached by a Jewish student who reported feeling uncomfortable expressing her views on Israel and her Jewish identity during classroom discussions, and unwelcome in a shared contemplation room.
The student described a specific incident during a class debate on freedom of speech in which she felt her viewpoint was not afforded equal space, and that she left the session feeling her contribution had effectively been shut down.
The student told UKLFI that the situation “is negatively affecting my sense of belonging at the University and my overall mental health. Combined with everything that has been happening more broadly, I do not feel safe at the University or, at times, in the UK as a Jewish woman.”
In its letter, UKLFI drew attention to the University’s obligations under the Equality Act 2010, including the prohibition on discrimination and harassment related to protected characteristics such as Jewish ethnicity and religion, Israeli nationality, and Zionism as a protected philosophical belief.
UKLFI also referred to the University’s duties to secure freedom of speech within the law under the Education (No. 2) Act 1986 and the Higher Education and Research Act 2017, as amended by the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, as well as its common law duty of care to provide a safe environment for students.
UKLFI called on the University to take a number of practical steps, including consulting with Jewish students, improved staff training, facilitated dialogue and ensuring that shared spaces are genuinely inclusive.
In its response, the University of Law stated: “We are deeply concerned to learn that a student has felt uncomfortable discussing matters relating to Israel or her Jewish identity on campus for fear of negative reaction […]We remain committed to fostering an environment in which every student feels safe, supported, and included.”
The University has now outlined actions across all five areas identified by UKLFI:
- Listening to Jewish students:
The University says it will continue engaging with students through formal reporting mechanisms and student representation structures. UKLFI has emphasised the importance of ensuring that Jewish students’ voices are actively heard and acted upon. - Facilitated dialogue:
Plans are being developed for structured sessions on non-violent communication, aimed at enabling respectful discussion of sensitive issues. UKLFI had specifically called for professionally facilitated sessions to ensure that students can express their perspectives without fear of hostility. - Staff training and classroom balance:
The University confirmed ongoing training on freedom of speech and indicated that further guidance will be introduced to support staff in managing classroom discussions fairly. This follows concerns that the student’s viewpoint was not given equal space in a class debate. - Antisemitism awareness:
The University is considering additional training and has begun strengthening its systems for reporting and monitoring incidents. UKLFI has stressed that such training is essential in the current climate of rising antisemitism. - Contemplation room access:
The University acknowledged that the reported presence of permanently placed prayer mats in a Moorgate contemplation room would breach its own neutrality policy. It confirmed that this issue is under investigation and will be addressed to ensure the space is genuinely accessible to all.
A spokesperson for UKLFI said: “We commend the University of Law for its constructive engagement with the concerns raised on behalf of this student. It is encouraging that the University has taken the student’s experience seriously and is reviewing the arrangements for the Contemplation Room, as well as considering further steps such as non-violent communication and antisemitism awareness training. We particularly welcome the University’s clear commitment to ensuring that all students feel safe, respected and able to participate fully in campus life.”