University response to recent events in Israel, Gaza and the Middle East

This page will be regularly updated. Last updated: 1 December 2023

In light of the impact of the appalling attacks and hostage-taking by Hamas, and the terrible effects on civilians of Israel’s military action in Gaza, we express our profound sympathy for those currently suffering in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.

We acknowledge that many of our staff and students have family and friends who are directly affected. Many others in our community share the pain of those who are suffering. We hope for a further ceasefire, the release of the remaining hostages, and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

Senior University leaders and college heads are meeting regularly with staff, students, and societies. The University is also meeting with local community leaders across the city of Oxford. We are listening to concerns and will continue to do everything we can to support our members. It is imperative that we keep our community together at this challenging time.

In a vibrant academic institution such as ours, it is inevitable that our staff and students will hold a range of views about the conflict. The University must remain a place where all members of our community are supported and welcomed, and where diverse voices and perspectives are tolerated and respected, within the limits of the law. We ask that all of our members engage each other with civility and respect.

However, it has become regrettably clear that some of our students and staff have experienced or witnessed antisemitic and Islamophobic behaviour within Oxford. As a University, we will not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment. Advice for staff and students who have experienced harassment, including how to make a complaint, can be found below. We stress that there is no place for antisemitism, Islamophobia, or hate directed towards any faith or ethnic group at the University of Oxford.

Information for staff and students

We wish to acknowledge that the news of the recent conflict is very upsetting, particularly for our students and colleagues with connections to the area. The University has written directly to impacted staff and students to offer welfare and other types of support. Both the University and colleges are working to ensure all members of the University community are supported as much as possible, and we will respond as appropriate as the situation develops.

Dealing with harassment

Our thoughts are with all those suffering, and we stress that there is no place for antisemitism, Islamophobia or hate for any faith at Oxford. The University does not tolerate any form of harassment or victimisation and expects all members of the University community, its visitors and contractors to treat each other with respect, courtesy and consideration. 

If any member of our community experiences harassment, we encourage them to report it via the appropriate channels and seek support. This may include: 

• Reporting hate crimes, and other threats, to the police (please see the current Thames Valley Police guidance) 
• Reporting harassment via internal channels (see the University’s harassment policy for guidance on appropriate options, as well as the student guidance on harassment)
• Seeking welfare support and advice via your college or department, or University channels such as the Employee Assistance Programme for University staff or the support options outlined below

Additional support on reporting antisemitism

The Community Security Trust (CST) has published a number of resources on their social media feeds, including guidance on how to communicate about Israel in a non-antisemitic way. CST also has a national emergency number which should be used to report antisemitic attacks, alongside contacting the police via 999: 0800 032 3263. 

Additional support on reporting Islamophobia

Tell Mama is a confidential support service for those suffering from anti-Muslim hate and discrimination across the UK. Their website features a number of different ways to report anti-Muslim incidents, including via phone or WhatsApp. 

Support for students

Welfare support

There are a number of welfare services available to provide support to you at this time, confidentially and free of charge. Your college welfare team may also offer additional services and we would urge you to contact them in the first instance.

If you feel anxious or in distress and want to speak to someone

• Nightline is an independent listening, support and information service run for and by students, offering instant messaging, Skype and telephone support.
• Samaritans is an independent listening service – always available 24/7 by telephone or online chat.

If you want to speak to a mental health professional now

• NHS Mental Health Helpline is open 24/7 for people who need mental health care when their situation is not life threatening.
• Togetherall is an NHS-approved service providing mental health support 24/7 to students, wherever you are in the world. Register free with your Oxford email to talk online to a mental health professional using the 'message a wall guide' feature or connect with other students through online forums.
• Oxford Safe Haven offers short-term support out-of-hours for people in Oxfordshire who are experiencing a mental health crisis including suicidal thoughts, via telephone and face-to-face support.

University Counselling Service

• The University’s Counselling Service aims to see students as soon as possible but cannot provide instant access to a mental health professional. To make an appointment, please contact counselling@admin.ox.ac.uk.

Other forms of support

The Oxford SU Student Advice service is available to all students.

We hope you can find a service that feels right for you should you need support at this time. Please speak to your college or department for any further assistance.

Travel and student visas

If you have any research or fieldwork planned in the region, you must keep up-to-date with Government travel advice. You must also speak to your supervisor and must complete a risk assessment before travelling.

For queries about your UK student visa, contact student.immigration@admin.ox.ac.uk

Academic impacts

If you are in the region and you are unable to access online teaching or resources, you should speak to your department about how they might support your learning.

There are a number of University processes in place to help you if the conflict has disrupted your studies or if you believe it will impact your ability to complete your exams or assessments. Please go to the problems completing your assessment page on the Oxford Students website for further information.

If you are a postgraduate research student and are concerned about the impact on your research, you should speak to your supervisor or contact the Researcher Hub.

Support for staff

Getting support

Please speak to your line manager, supervisor or a colleague to ask for support if these events are affecting you. 

There are a number of welfare services available to provide support to you at this time, confidentially and free of charge. The Looking after you webpage summarises these, and there are further details of a few resources below. 

You may also find the following information useful:

University welfare support 

• The University’s Counselling Service has prepared guidance for staff on coping with a traumatic event. 
• Other information that you may find helpful can be found on the Mental health crisis webpage. 

If you feel anxious or in distress and want to speak to someone outside the University 

• All UK-based employees affected by events can contact the University’s Employee Assistance Programme. The service offers a confidential helpline available 24/7, 365 days a year to provide emotional support and practical guidance.
• Samaritans is an independent listening service – always available 24/7 by telephone or online chat. 
• The NHS Mental Health Helpline is open 24/7 for people who need mental health care when their situation is not life-threatening.
• Oxfordshire Safe Haven offers short-term support out of hours for people in Oxfordshire who are experiencing a mental health crisis including suicidal thoughts, via telephone and face-to-face support. 

If you are outside the UK

• Togetherall is an NHS-approved service providing mental health support 24/7 to staff and students, wherever you are in the world. Register free with your Oxford email to talk online to a mental health professional using the ‘message a Wall Guide’ feature, or connect with other staff and students through online forums.

Travel advice

If you are planning any travel to the region, you must keep up-to-date with Government travel advice. You must also speak to your supervisor or line manager and must complete a risk assessment before travelling.

Information regarding your research

If you are concerned about the impact of the conflict on your research, you should talk to your supervisor/line manager, or book a conversation with the Researcher Hub by emailing researcherhub@admin.ox.ac.uk.

You should also inform the project officer of your research funder of any delays to your project and seek a no-cost extension if necessary.