Last month, the British Parliament released a comprehensive report on the findings and recommendations of the taskforce on anti-Semitism in higher education in the UK. The taskforce was established by Lord Mann, the Government’s independent advisor on anti-Semitism, in collaboration with the All-Party Parliamentary Group Against anti-Semitism. The taskforce met with a range of stakeholders in higher education and the Jewish community, and also spoke with students and staff from 56 universities across the UK, including the top 20 institutions. The taskforce found that although Jewish students generally have a positive university experience, they are significantly impacted by rising campus anti-Semitism, particularly relating to Zionism and Israel. Students reported negative attitudes and behaviors towards those who identify or are perceived to identify as Zionists, leading Jewish students to hide their identity and refrain from engaging in certain lectures and discussions. Furthermore, students expressed dissatisfaction with issues where universities had failed to accommodate their religious needs such as inaccessible electronic door locks during the Sabbath and the scheduling of important university events during the Jewish High Holidays. Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge as seen from the south bank of the River Thames. The Palace of Westminster serves as the meeting place for the UK Parliament. The report also highlights the experiences of Jewish staff, many of whom hesitate to openly identify as Jewish due to potential harm to their professional relationships. This fear was particularly acute for Israeli academics and those in the humanities. Jewish staff also raised concerns about the lack of a centralized network to represent them in discussions, as many feel that the UCU (University and College Union) is no longer a safe and accepting space for Jewish individuals. The report’s findings largely mirror data about campus anti-Semitism in the United States. For instance, in the first poll to specifically examine rates of anti-Semitism among college students who claim a strong sense of Jewish identity and connection to Israel, the Brandeis Center found that 65% have felt unsafe on campus, and 50% have actively hid their identity. Nearly one third of Jewish students report personally experiencing anti-Semitism directed at them or a member of the campus community in the past year, according to a 2021 study. And many universities, including Stanford, have also been criticized by the Jewish community for starting their academic year on Rosh Hashanah. Alongside their findings, the taskforce provides several recommendations to combat anti-Semitism on university campuses. Most notably, the taskforce urges universities to adopt the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism as a crucial step in identifying anti-Semitism on campus. The taskforce notes that it became evident in focus group discussions that the adoption of this definition plays a pivotal role in building trust with the Jewish community, as it is perceived as a significant indicator of a university’s dedication to safeguarding Jewish students and faculty. Encouragingly, the taskforce notes that all 56 universities have embraced the IHRA definition, and that “the definition has neither compromised nor chilled free speech in any of the 56 Universities with which we engaged,” refuting opposing claims. Additionally, the taskforce recommends comprehensive anti-Semitism awareness training for staff, students, union managers, and trade unions. This recommendation aligns with the recommendations of the U.S. National Strategy, released by the Biden Administration, which calls on employers including K-12 schools and universities to ensure “full inclusion of antisemitism awareness and training as well as workplace religious accommodation requirements” in their diversity programming. Both reports also emphasize the need for clear mechanisms to report hate incidents and acts of anti-Semitism in schools and colleges and the importance of transparency, urging educational institutions to openly communicate the measures taken in response to such reports, and providing resources for students who have experienced intimidation, undue harassment, or violence based on their Jewish identity or perceived Jewish identity. Finally, the taskforce echoed the U.S. National Strategy’s call for greater religious accommodations for Jewish students. Similar to a policy the USDA has undertaken to complete by this November, the taskforce recommended the creation of inclusive calendars with an outline of religious festivals and key calendar dates so that students, professors, and other faculty are aware of potential schedule conflicts. Accommodations for students and staff with specific religious needs, like access to kosher foods or alternative entry to university buildings on the Sabbath, should be provided, and information to access accommodations should be advertised publicly on university websites and prospectuses. The taskforce also recommended specific engagement plans around international conflicts (including the Israel-Palestine conflict) impacting campus relations to ensure both the protection of free speech and student safety. This should include a comprehensive risk assessment and a preparedness and engagement strategy, including dialogue with relevant student groups. The release of this comprehensive report on anti-Semitism is a crucial step towards understanding anti-Semitism in higher education and taking steps to combat it. The report reflects that anti-Semitism manifests in similar ways on campuses in the U.S. and U.K. and that policymakers have identified similar steps to combat it – from the adoption of the IHRA Definition to improving the accommodation of Jewish students’ religious needs and the reporting of hate crimes against them. Studying the report and its implementation will consequently assist American policymakers in turning the recommendations in the U.S. National Strategy into concrete actions to protect Jewish students.