Almost 40 per cent of students at Britain’s top universities believe that the October 7 terrorist attacks committed against Israel in which some 1,200 people were murdered and kidnapped, were an “understandable act of resistance”.

Only 36 per cent of students at all universities agree that October 7 “was a terrorist attack conducted by Hamas against innocent people”, while the same number also said pro-Israel student campaigners should expect to face abuse on campus, according to a poll conducted by StandWithUs UK, an educational pro-Israel charity.

Findings show that 29 per cent think the attacks were “an understandable act of resistance”, while 35 per cent said they “don’t know”.

The poll found particularly alarming results among Russell Group students, with 38 per cent believing the October 7 terror attacks were an act of resistance, compared to 29 per cent of overall students who agreed with the statement.

Similarly, 58 per cent of Russell Group students say that anyone visibly displaying Jewish symbols or clothing is likely to face antisemitism, compared to 45 per cent of overall students.

Over half of students from Russell Group universities agree that pro-Israel student campaigners should expect to face abuse on campus, compared to 38 per cent of overall students, with 31 per cent disagreeing.

StandWithUs UK said the results of the poll “confirms our fears that university campuses have become a platform for hatred of Israel and Jews to thrive, particularly amongst Russell Group universities which claim to be the elite of academia in this country.”

The results come amid news that Cambridge University, a Russell Group member, moved its graduation ceremony on Saturday from Senate House, where it has taken place since the 18th century, to Downing College due to the pro-Palestine protests.

StandWithUs Executive Director, Isaac Zarfati, said: “The survey results confirm what we have been witnessing for a few years: We are in the midst of a historic wave antisemitism fuelled by anti-Zionism. The level of ignorance among the future leaders of the Western society should be a great concern. It serves as a crucial wake-up call for anyone still unaware of the vital role facts and education must play.”

Fieldwork was conducted from 1,024 university students in the UK by Savanta on 19-23 April 2024.