Hillel House in Edgbaston, which houses Jewish students in the city, is to beef up its security after what it says has been a spike in antisemitism in recent times
A ‘huge rise in antisemitism’ including a wave of pro Palestinian protests including this one at the University of Birmingham has led to the Trustees of Hillel House applying to increase security at its accommodation site for Jewish students in Edgbaston (Image: Anita Maric / SWNS)
A Jewish student accommodation site in Birmingham has applied to beef up its security after what it describes as a ‘huge surge’ in antisemitism in the city.
The Trustees of Hillel House, a dedicated site for Jewish students in Edgbaston, have applied to install a 1.8 metre high fence and security gates at the site citing a rise in anti-Jewish feeling at university campuses.
They say Birmingham has not been exempt from this sentiment and the protests and disruption were a ‘major part of the requirement for these gates to be installed’.
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Last year the University of Birmingham saw pro-Palestinian protestors set up encampments at its Edgbaston campus raising concerns about the war in Gaza.
The university went to court to evict the protestors amid allegations of ‘unacceptable activity’, including ‘graffiti and intimidation against staff and students’.
But amid ongoing tensions the trustees of the ‘hub for Jewish student life’ have applied to surround its student accommodation with a mesh security fence and metal galvanised electric gate.
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The Edgbaston site offers students ‘kosher food, religious services, holiday celebrations, and a place to meet, connect, and form a sense of belonging’.
It is the largest of its type in the UK and offers accommodation for 36 Jewish students.
The new fencing and gate would not be visible from the street.
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The application states: “It is proposed to erect a 1800mm high metal galvanized powdered coated black coloured security entrance gate electronically operated with pedestrian side gate set back from the public highway by 16.5m.
“Within the grounds of property, it is proposed to erect 1800mm vertical mesh security fencing powdered-coated green set back from the highway ranging from 7m to 15m and is screened by mature trees and shrubs and will not be visible from the public highway.
“The reason for the proposal is to provide additional security to the students, due to the recent huge surge in antisemitism which has arisen in university campuses.
“Birmingham has certainly not been exempt from these protests and disruption and this is a major part of the requirement for these gates to be installed.”