UK antisemitism report questioned as 'three in five' student claim and other findings fall apart

New questions have emerged about the British government's plans to promote a contentious definition of antisemitism, which has been accused of stifling criticism of Israel in schools and cautioned against by its lead author. The government has said it will encourage schools to adopt the widely-criticised International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, on the recommendation of a new review into antisemitism in schools. It has been widely reported that the review, which was led by Sir David Bell and published its findings earlier this week, found that "three in five Jewish pupils" experience antisemitism at school. The Bell report itself says that "almost three in five (59 percent) who identify as Jewish" reported "having experienced antisemitism". But where does this figure come from? The report itself says that "a significant proportion of Jewish children are educated in Jewish schools." It adds: "In the 1970s an estimated 20 percent of all school-aged Jewish children attended Jewish schools and this has risen to nearly 70 percent." New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The report's annex gives a detailed breakdown of the survey on which the antisemitism statistics are apparently based. The survey was of 16-to-18-year olds who were registered with UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admission Service, not schoolchildren in general. 'Anti-Jewish attitudes are typically less prevalent and have remained more stable, whereas anti-Israel sentiments are more prevalent and have been increasing' - The Bell report Ninety-two Jewish students took part in the survey, out of 5,000 respondents. The report says: "It is important to note the data collected is not representative of all school and college students and a low sample size of 92 students who identify as Jewish should be treated with caution. Nevertheless, the conclusions still provide a valuable insight into students’ experience of antisemitism." The annex further notes: "These results are not representative of the entire student population as a significant number within this age group have not applied to study at university or college." Of the 92 Jewish students, 70 of them responded to a question about whether they have personally experienced or witnessed antisemitism. Twenty-nine Jewish students said they had experienced antisemitism, which equalled 41 percent of the Jewish respondents, not three in five, which would be 60 percent. Anti-Israel views on the rise, report says The survey found that 30 percent of students who did not identify as Jewish said they had personally experienced discrimination, bullying or harassment. Of these, 21 percent said this was due to their religion and 46 percent said it was due to their race or ethnicity. The Bell review used the IHRA definition of antisemitism, according to its published terms of reference. The report says: "British attitudes relating to Jewish people and Israel show two broad trends. Anti-Jewish attitudes are typically less prevalent and have remained more stable, whereas anti-Israel sentiments are more prevalent and have been increasing. "For example, in 2025 an estimated three percent of British adults disagreed with the question 'I am just as open to having Jewish friends as I am to have friends from other sections of British society'.” 'Schools need practical support to confront antisemitism, not a contested framework that risks shutting down legitimate discussion' - Daniel Kebede, National Education Union "This compares to an estimated 25 percent of British adults who disagree with the statement 'I am comfortable spending time with people who openly support Israel'. This rises to 49 percent for those aged 18-24." The review calls on schools to recognise antisemitism as a distinct category of harm. The government said it would accept the review’s findings in full. But the Bell review has been criticised by the National Education Union, whose general secretary, Daniel Kebede, said : "Recommending the IHRA definition risks tightening the chilling grip already stifling classroom discussion of the Gaza genocide . "Schools need practical support to confront antisemitism, not a contested framework that risks shutting down legitimate discussion." The IHRA definition of antisemitism was originally formulated in 2004 as a non-legally-binding tool to assist in monitoring antisemitism. Examples appended to it include "claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour", which critics say can blur the line between antisemitism and political criticism of Israel. Its lead author, Kenneth Stern , has warned against its use as a disciplinary or legal instrument, arguing that it may risk restricting legitimate political expression. 'Schools are a place to be impartial' On Wednesday, Education Secretary Lucy Powell told Sky News: "I don't think that our schools should be a place where it's about making protests and statements about geopolitical events around the world." UK says schoolchildren shouldn’t wave Palestine flags. Ukraine flags are fine though Read More » Powell was asked whether pupils should be "allowed to display Palestinian flags" in schools. She replied: "That's not what we would expect in schools, that's not expected at all. Schools are a place to be impartial." However, the Department for Education has previously published a video online of Powell's predecessor as education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, in a classroom with pupils waving the Ukrainian flag. On 24 August 2024 the Department for Education released a statement saying: "On Ukrainian Independence Day we celebrate everything Ukraine is fighting to defend: democracy, sovereignty and the Ukrainian way of life." And on 19 October 2023, after the Hamas attack on Israel and 11 days into Israel's bombardment of Gaza, the Department for Education said in a statement : "The UK unequivocally condemns these terrorist attacks and stands in solidarity with Israel in its hour of need." Since Israel's genocide in Gaza began, there has been a reported rise in the number of schoolchildren referred to the Prevent counter-extremism programme for wearing pro-Palestine badges and stickers. Copyright © 2014 - 2026 . Middle East Eye. All rights reserved. Only England and Wales jurisdiction apply in all legal matters. Middle East Eye ISSN 2634-2456