HUNDREDS of staff, students and members of the public gathered to show solidarity to the Jewish community after an antisemitism row at the University of Essex.

The public meeting, which took place in the university’s main square yesterday, was organised as part of a series of measures to after a row broke out over the creation of a Jewish society when more than 200 students voted it.

The voting was later found to be void before a re-run of the vote was cancelled and the society automatically ratified.

Speakers including the Students’ Union president and Colchester Council deputy leader Tim Young addressed the crowds at the rally.

Vice-chancellor Professor Anthony Forster said: “We are a university that must live by our values and the events of last week have called into question our commitment to these values.

“It is right the Jewish Society has now been formed and I know the university and the Students’ Union will do all in our power to enable it to flourish alongside our other societies.

“This is, however, only one step. On behalf of our community, I want to speak out against all forms of antisemitism.

“Today, we have come together to show antisemitism is completely antithetical to the values of the University of Essex and it has absolutely no place on our campuses and in our relationships with each other. “

On Monday, the Gazette also reported a lecturer had been suspended while claims he posted antisemitic material on his Facebook account are investigated.

Prof Forster read a statement from House of Commons speaker and university Chancellor John Bercow.

It said: “Graduating from the University of Essex nearly 34 years ago is one of the happiest memories of my life.

“Serving as your Chancellor is amongst my greatest privileges.

“Why? Because a belief in equality, human rights and non-discrimination is as deep-rooted in the university’s veins as it is in mine.

“That is why I was mortified the university laid itself open to the charge of anti-Semitism.

“That too is why I support the vice-chancellor, Anthony Forster, and his colleagues, unequivocally and passionately, in acting to cleanse the university of that ugly and damaging stain.”

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