University of Exeter claims “Rights for whites” grafitti, swastika carved into door are just an “offensive joke”
Antisemitism has again reared its ugly head at a British university. The University of Exeter has opened an investigation after a swastika and a “Rights for Whites” sign were found in halls of residence. The swastika had been found carved into a door in on-campus halls Birks Grange.
It is troubling that, already, the university seems to be finding excuses and downplaying this blatant antisemitic incident with a spokesperson saying: “The investigation is ongoing and no conclusions have yet been drawn, but it appears, from initial inquiries, that this may have been an ill-judged, deeply offensive joke on the students’ part, parodying a sketch in a TV comedy show.”
The time for excuses, inertia and cowardice was over long ago. There has to be a zero tolerance approach and the University of Exeter must take immediate robust action.
This follows another alarming antisemitic incident at the university last term in which students were photographed at a sports club social event wearing t-shirts with handwritten antisemitic slogans. One t-shirt bore the slogan: “the Holocaust was a good time.”
Campaign Against Antisemitism is closely monitoring the response to this latest disturbing outbreak of antisemitism. We would be interested to hear from the victims by e-mail at [email protected].