Events in the Middle East: Supporting Our Community

The terrible loss of life in the Middle East and the devastating impact of violence on civilians in the region is a tragedy. The deep pain and distress being caused by the conflict is felt by many in our community, especially our Israeli and Palestinian students. 

We know lots of you will be experiencing significant anguish and upset, and we recognise the specific concerns that our Jewish and Muslim students have. Working with LUU, we’re doing everything we can to support everyone in our community.

What can you do?

At this incredibly difficult time, it’s important to understand that students and staff may be feeling afraid, uncertain, or unsafe. We urge you to treat each other with respect and courtesy, think about the language you use and the impact your words and actions can have on others around you, whether unintended or not.

If you want to do something to help, you could donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee which brings together 15 UK aid charities to raise funds in times of crisis.

If you’re struggling and want to speak to someone about how you’re feeling or something that has happened, find support available for you.

What is the University doing?

  • we’re working closely with LUU and regularly meet with student societies, community and political leaders, and other groups outside the University to listen to your concerns and identify what more we can do.

  • we’re working with other universities nationally to share best practice and ideas to provide support for staff and students.

  • we will continue to listen and respond to your concerns and make sure that you have the support you need.

Support for academics and scholars affected by conflict

We support the Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara), an organisation which helps academics around the world needing urgent help to escape from discrimination, persecution, violence, or conflict – or to stay and work in their home countries despite serious dangers. We are progressing our University of Sanctuary status which supports students and academics displaced by conflict around the world, for application in early 2025. 

Two additional sanctuary scholarships are now available specifically for Gazan students who may not be in the UK.  The scholarships provide an urgent route for Gazan students who are not asylum seekers or refugees in the UK to access education at the University for entry in 2024 or 2025. Each scholarship will fund fees and living costs, as well as covering the cost of a visa, travel and NHS healthcare for the student. 

A working group has also been created to explore pathways for supporting Gazan universities and students via initiatives and partnerships with other universities and agencies with expertise in the region.

Research partnerships

In common with many other UK universities, the University of Leeds has research agreements with many industrial and commercial partners to advance knowledge and provide students with education and employment opportunities. 

All research partnerships with external companies are governed by UK legislation, including export control regulations and government sanctions lists, and are subjected to rigorous internal procedures around research security, integrity, and ethics. 

In addition, we are developing a framework to support academics in making decisions on who they wish to partner with. The discovery phase took views from across our staff and student community, external bodies, and our Russell Group peer institutions. We have developed some initial options, which are currently being discussed as part of the development of a final framework.

Antisemitism and Islamophobia

Working groups on antisemitism and Islamophobia started work over the summer. Composed of staff with relevant expertise and in partnership with students, the groups will proceed to develop action plans over the year to address antisemitism and Islamophobia, informed by relevant expert and sector guidance and community feedback.

Chaplaincy support

We are reviewing campus chaplaincy arrangements to ensure that students of all faiths and none receive the support that they need.

The University of Leeds welcomes the swift action taken by the national University Jewish Chaplaincy (UJC) to end the employment of the current chaplains serving the Yorkshire region. This follows concerns raised by staff and students across our community regarding Islamaphobic and racist social media content. This content was appalling and does not align to the values and ethos of the University. We recognise the hurt that this material has caused and are sorry that this happened. 

Our commitment to freedom of expression

The role of a university is to create an environment where knowledge is created and shared, and where diverse ideas and views can be discussed in a safe way. 

We’re committed to supporting free speech within the law, which means tolerating a wide range of views while respecting the rights of others. You can find out more about what that means in our Freedom of Expression Protocol. 

Antisemitism, Islamophobia, abuse, or harassment of any kind is not acceptable. The University does not support any views or actions which seek to exclude or make Jewish, Muslim or any other people unwelcome on campus. You can read our statement condemning antisemitism and our statement condemning Islamophobia. 

Standing together

We hope that peace will be restored to the region as soon as possible. Our community values of compassion and inclusivity have never been more important than during these difficult times, and by supporting each other and embracing the diversity of our community, we will be stronger together. 

University of Leeds        Leeds University Union
 
Support

If you’re struggling or want to talk about how you’re feeling or something that has happened, there’s plenty of support at Leeds. Contact the Student Information Service by phone, email, or on campus – the friendly team will listen non-judgmentally, answer your questions, and connect you to the right people to help, whatever you need.

If you’ve experienced harassment or abuse, find out how to access support from the University, LUU and external partners.

Read our previous statements

Further reading