Extent of claims of antisemitism at Oxford University Labour Club revealed in student testimony

Members of Oxford University Labour Club discussed Zionists rigging British elections, frequently used the abusive term “Zio” and said European attacks on Jews were justified because of Gaza, according to leaked details seen by the JC.

The investigation into the OULC was called after Jewish students at the university revealed a list of what they said were examples of antisemitism from Labour-supporting students last month.

It also followed the resignation of former OULC vice-chair Alex Chalmers , who stepped down claiming the club had a “problem with Jews” after a meeting in which members voted to endorse Israel Apartheid Week.

The initial investigation was completed 11 days ago, and a report was handed to the party, but there have been no moves as yet to discipline any of the students over the allegations. The findings of the investigation have not been published.

A dossier of what are said to be the testimonies of several students who gave evidence to the investigation has been sent to the JC by a source.

It shows that one student claimed an OULC member had organised a campaign of harassment by a group against a Jewish student. The victim was allegedly called a “filthy Zionist” and questioned over whether they supporting the killing of Palestinian children. No formal complaint was made.

In another case, club members were said to have mocked the victims of the terror attack on a kosher supermarket in Paris when the funerals were televised.

One OULC member was said to have claimed the attacks on synagogues and Jewish schools in Europe were to be expected because of Israel’s conflict in Gaza in 2014.

In another incident it is alleged that an OULC member told a Jewish student they thought Auschwitz was a “cash cow”.

One student claimed club members responded with eye rolls and sarcasm whenever Jewish students tried to raise concerns.
They also claimed fears of antisemitism during Israel Apartheid Week were glossed over by one OULC member who compared it to straight people feeling uncomfortable in a gay club.

In another testimony a student claimed an OULC member said all Jews were legitimate targets for Hamas on the OULC Facebook page.

The Labour Party appointed senior peer Baroness Royall to lead a new investigation into the allegations 10 days ago.

Two activists aligned to the hard-left Momentum group are said to be the focus of the allegations and investigations. Lawyers acting for Max Shanly and James Elliott said both men "absolutely reject and deny" the claims.

There have been claims that the party had attempted to cover-up the results of the initial investigation until a Young Labour conference had taken place last month.

Mr Elliott had stood for a role on Labour's national executive committee, but missed out on the position by 0.5 per cent of the vote. There were reports of bullying, vote-rigging and smears at the conference in Scarborough.

Jewish groups have called on the party to ensure the fresh inquiry focuses on allegations of antisemitism, rather than looking into suggestions of an alleged smear campaign against the two Labour-supporting students