Students at top Canadian university McGill have voted to overturn an anti-Israel motion passed earlier in the week, amid allegations that it had led to a rise in antisemitism on campus.

On Monday, the the Students’ Society of McGill University’s general assembly passed a BDS motion by 512 students against 347.

Pro-Israel group B’nai Brith Canada called on the university to intervene, arguing that it had led to an increase in antisemitism.

“No student should feel unsafe because of their identity or political stance,” a spokesman said. “Supporting our Jewish peers and standing up for Palestinians’ agency and safety are not mutually exclusive."

But during the university’s ratification process - needed to pass the petition - the bulk of students voted to overturn the BDS motion.

In the online vote, 57 per cent of participating students voted to over turn the BDS motion - while around 43 per cent of those taking part in the 5,286 person vote casted their ballot in support of the boycott.

Afterwards, McGill’s principal Suzanne Fortier said: "The BDS movement, which among other things, calls for universities to cut ties with Israeli universities, flies in the face of the tolerance and respect we cherish as values fundamental to a university.

"It proposes actions that are contrary to the principles of academic freedom, equity, inclusiveness and the exchange of views and ideas in responsible, open discourse.

"These are the core principles of McGill University,"