Nottingham Trent University students suspended over antisemitic letter

Police said the two students would now attend education courses in line with the victim's wishes

Two students have been suspended and will face a disciplinary panel following an antisemitic incident.

A handwritten letter was left in the flat of a student at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), which said: "Free Palestine KYS (kill yourselves)", followed by a swear word.

Police said the students would attend education courses as a result.

The university said they "do not tolerate any form of racism or antisemitism".

The institution added they "immediately informed police" when they were made aware of the letter in late October.

'Community resolutions'

They confirmed the two students had been suspended, and a disciplinary panel will be held to "determine what further action" should be taken.

"We are continuing to support the students impacted, and their families," an NTU spokesperson said.

A spokesperson from the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) said this "intimidatory act was horrifying."

They added: "We thank the police for their decision to take action against these students. It is imperative that Jewish students are able to feel safe on campus."

Ch Insp James Walker, from Nottinghamshire Police, added: "In line with the victim's wishes, two suspects were issued with community resolutions and will be attending courses to educate them regarding their behaviour."

Analysis

By Christina McSorley, BBC News

Earlier this month, charity Community Security Trust (CST) said they recorded 69 antisemitic incidents on campus in the UK since the 7 October Hamas attacks. In the same time period last year, there were 12.

Education minister Robert Halfon also told the BBC that universities need to be more proactive to protect, particularly Jewish, students at this time.

He said what Jewish students were experiencing "is unprecedented" and that "an invisible ghetto" had been created, because Jewish students are "behind that ghetto and frightened to participate [in university life]".