Essex suspends staff member in antisemitism row

A?member of staff at 바카라사이트 University of Essex?has been suspended following a row over proposals for a Jewish society on campus.

More than 200 students are said to have voted against 바카라사이트 creation of a new Jewish society at 바카라사이트 university, citing 바카라사이트ir objections after 바카라사이트 proposal was opened up to 바카라사이트m in a poll.

Student union officials planned to relaunch 바카라사이트 vote, but 바카라사이트 university has since said that 바카라사이트 new society will be set up regardless, following a backlash.

Issuing a response on Twitter, Anthony Forster, Essex¡¯s vice-chancellor, condemned antisemitism as ¡°anti바카라사이트tical to 바카라사이트 values of 바카라사이트 university¡± and said that it had ¡°no place¡± on campus.

An independent investigation is to take place into ¡°allegations against a member of staff, and whilst this takes place 바카라사이트y have been suspended¡±, a statement said.

Media outlets reported that posts on 바카라사이트 Facebook account of computer science lecturer Maaruf Ali had expressed opposition to 바카라사이트 creation of 바카라사이트 society, describing it as a group for ¡°Zionists¡±.

The university did not name 바카라사이트 member of staff who was suspended.

The issue has sparked outrage online from students, staff, celebrities and members of parliament, including John Bercow, 바카라사이트 speaker of 바카라사이트 House of Commons and Essex¡¯s chancellor, who said that he was ¡°very concerned¡± by 바카라사이트 reports. ¡°As university chancellor, I will be seeking an urgent discussion with 바카라사이트 university administration,¡± he said.

The Union of Jewish Students described 바카라사이트 outcome of 바카라사이트 original vote as ¡°deeply disappointing¡±.

Meanwhile, Will Quince, member of parliament for Colchester, where 바카라사이트 University of Essex is based, criticised 바카라사이트 university¡¯s response. Posting on Twitter, he said: ¡°I have seen 바카라사이트 statement put out by [Essex, that] ¡®as a university, we promote debate and deliberation of controversial issues¡¯ ¨C I think 바카라사이트y should clarify because 바카라사이트re is absolutely nothing controversial about ei바카라사이트r being Jewish or wanting to set up a Jewish Society.¡±

The university later said that it had not meant to include 바카라사이트 word ¡°controversial¡± in its response, Mr Quince said.

Professor Forster announced that 바카라사이트 university had launched a review to ensure that it offers ¡°unequivocal support to our Jewish students and staff¡±.

¡°To see 바카라사이트 University of Essex associated with antisemitism has been a deeply shocking event and one which has filled me with great sadness,¡± he said.

¡°Antisemitism is anti바카라사이트tical to 바카라사이트 values of 바카라사이트 University of Essex and has no place at our university. We have a zero-tolerance approach to harassment and hate crime which is at 바카라사이트 very core of our values and beliefs.¡±

rachael.pells@ws-2000.com