Tory students criticised over Hitler moustache and Star of David on night out
Board of Deputies brands young right-wing activists disgraceful after they're pictured with offensive slogans and symbols
Tory students in Plymouth have been branded a “disgrace” by Jewish representatives after pictures emerged of them at a party wearing Hitler moustaches and shirts daubed with the word ‘Jude’ alongside a Star of David.
Conservative HQ promised swift action against any of its members involved in the Plymouth University Conservatives event, as the party’s conference concluded in Birmingham on Wednesday.
The Board of Deputies was among the organisations to condemn the students’ insensitivity, tweeting: “These were disgraceful scenes. We hope that the investigation will be swift and that firm action is taken.”
In widely-circulated photos, carried on the front page of the Daily Mirror, one young Tory is shown making what many felt was the ‘White Power’ sign with his hand, although this is similar to the ‘OK’ gesture. Others wrote the words “F*** the NHS” on their shirts.
The University’s student union said it had suspended the society, adding: “We totally condemn behaviour of this kind, along with all forms of racism and antisemitism.
The University said it “does not tolerate racist or anti-Semitic behaviour under any circumstance and will take disciplinary action in-line with our procedures in the event of incidents such as this”.
The Union of Jewish Students condemned the spectacle, telling Jewish News: “We are disgusted to see that members of the Plymouth University Conservative society graffitied Stars of David and ‘Jude’ on each others’ shirts. There can be no excuse for deliberate mocking of the greatest trauma in recent Jewish history. We are pleased that among others, Plymouth Students’ Union and Conservative HQ have condemned those involved, and we expect the University to take appropriate action to make it clear that despicable behaviour such as this has no place on campus. If any Jewish students are concerned by this or similar incidents on campus, please do not hesitate to get in contact with UJS for support.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
