Bristol SU officer who made anti-Semitic posts urged to resign

Sam Kahn (left) and Seb Sultan's petition has been signed more than 1,000 times in less than a week

Jewish students have launched a petition calling for a union officer who made anti-Semitic posts to resign.

Bristol University's black, minority & ethnic (BME) officer Omar Chowdhury was allowed to keep his job after making the comments online.

Bristol Students Against Anti-Semitism said a BME officer "should be the one delivering anti-racism training, not themselves in need of it".

The university's students' union (SU) said it was aware of the petition.

The BBC has approached the SU asking for a comment from Mr Chowdhury.

An SU spokesman said the union "fully recognises the strength of feeling around this issue" and was "continuing an active discussion with all parties".

He added: "Bristol SU remains absolutely committed to tackling anti-Semitism and racism in all its forms."

Mr Chowdhury received a formal warning after the comments he posted on a Facebook page called Bristruths emerged.

He told Jewish student Izzy Posen he should "be like Israel and cease to exist".

Mr Chowdhury's remarks were made on a Facebook page called Bristruths

The comments were made a year ago but only came to light when Mr Chowdhury recently became a BME officer at the union.

The petition calling for his resignation has gathered more than 1,000 signatures in less than a week.

Seb Sultan, who helped set the petition up, said: "We were shocked and appalled to hear the SU would allow [Mr Chowdhury] to remain in his position with just a warning, apology and training.

"We cannot allow the SU to set a precedent of tolerating anti-Semitism."

Mr Sultan said the group had not yet met Mr Chowdhury but both parties had "expressed a willingness" to meet.

Mr Chowdhury previously said he regretted his "ignorant, offensive... and unacceptable comments".

"I have already begun efforts to educate myself on anti-Semitism... and will undertake training as part of this," he added.