Coventry Uni club suspended over t-shirts with ‘Jews deserved it’ and swastikas
President of university's SU condemns reported antisemitic shirts, as Jewish student body says it's 'dismayed' by the offensive acts
A Coventry University sports society has been suspended after images reportedly circulated online of members wearing t-shirts marked with swastikas and the words “The Jews Deserved it” to a student party.
Tochukwu Ajare, president of Coventry University Student Union, said in a statement: “We understand these pictures were taken during a social event at a CUSU affiliated sports club.
“We have immediately suspended the club while we look into the matter. We do not tolerate antisemitism or any form of hate crime.
“We will fully support the university in any disciplinary action it may take.”
A Coventry University spokesperson said the university was “deeply concerned” about the reports, adding that it has launched an investigation and will take disciplinary action against any student involved.
In a statement, the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) said they are “once again dismayed to see another incident of antisemitic language written on t-shirts at a student party.”
The statement continues: “This year academic year we have already seen antisemitic incidents at ‘white-T-shirt parties’ in Plymouth, Lancaster and Newcastle, all revolving around the Holocaust.
“There can be no excuse for the deliberate trivialisation of the greatest trauma in recent Jewish history.”
A Community Security Trust spokesperson said: “These slogans and swastikas are appalling and it is deeply troubling that any students would think they are suitable to display publicly, irrespective of the context in which they did it.
“We hope and expect that Coventry University investigate fully and take whatever action is necessary to ensure this does not happen again.”
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