26 February 2024

Dear University of Leeds,

We, the undersigned, write to you with a deep sense of urgency and dismay following reports that Rabbi Zecharia Deutsch has been allowed to return to his chaplaincy role on campus after his recent online conduct and direct communication with students, and participation in the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in Gaza.[1] This letter aims to articulate the breadth of our concerns, rooted in the principles of justice, inclusivity, and the wellbeing of all students and staff at the University of Leeds.

The current upheaval on campus and in the wider Leeds community was triggered on 12th November 2023, when it was revealed that Deutsch had temporarily vacated his pastoral role as chaplain at the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett, and other universities he covers in Bradford, Hull, Huddersfield, York, and Sheffield to serve in the IDF in Gaza as a reservist. This was evidenced by videos that were sent by Deutsch to his students via WhatsApp in which he wore Israeli army uniform, participated in celebratory dances with fellow soldiers, and defended his actions by stating the following:

“… no one could deny that Israel is dealing with this war with the utmost morality and good ethics… There’s so much confusion going on and it’s so clear that there is evil and there is good. And what Israel is trying to do is destroy the evil which is the most moral thing possible.” [2] 

These remarks are deeply troubling given that they were made by a member of staff at the University, who was glorifying a war while using a racist and dehumanising trope by labelling Palestinians as “evil”. The humanitarian context at the time makes Deutsch’s comments especially disturbing given that at least 11,000 Palestinians in Gaza had already been murdered.[3] Subsequent outrage led to a series of student walkouts; during one of these walkouts, a student testimony revealed that counter-protestors made threats to these students, labelling them ‘Nazis’ for staging a protest to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.[4] Over the subsequent weeks, students and staff expressed their dismay, sending emails demanding the University address the matter. On 7th February 2024, the University hosted artist and ‘educator’ Noah Shufutinsky from the anti-Palestinian lobby group, StandWithUs, as part of the organisation’s UK Campus Tour. Two days later, various news outlets reported that the University’s Hillel House was vandalised with graffiti reading ‘Free Palestine’.[5]On 8th February 2024, it was reported that Deutsch had been welcomed back to his chaplaincy role at the University following his return from Israel.[6]

During this period, students, staff, as well as concerned members of the wider community, phoned in or wrote to the university to express their outrage. The University made no attempt to officially address their concerns and did not release any public statements, which has significantly contributed to the frustration, anxiety, and lack of safety felt by many on campus. It was later revealed that Deutsch had been sighted by a student in early January, and that students had raised this as a serious concern with senior management. We reiterate that the University once again did not take any action to publicly engage with students, staff, or the wider public to address Deutsch’s return and the impact it would have on vulnerable and affected individuals, as well as the deeply concerned community. 

On 12th February 2024, the University released a statement entitled the ‘Antisemitic attacks on Hillel House and Rabbi Deutsch’.[7] We strongly and unequivocally condemn antisemitism, the targeting of Hillel House, and the threats directed at Deutsch and his family. We also affirm the statement made by the Leeds Students Against Apartheid Coalition released on 16th February 2024, which states that “there is no evidence to suggest any member of our student coalition has any link to antisemitic hate crimes, and it is regrettable that the University of Leeds has chosen to use these incidents to frame Palestinian student activism as part of the rising trend of antisemitism.”[8]

We are astounded that the University has chosen to omit a member of staff’s active participation in Israel’s military campaign and the highly inflammatory comments he has made, which contribute to the dehumanisation of Palestinians, from its statement yet claims that “the university does not support any views or actions which seek to exclude or make any community feel unwelcome on campus”. The volume and pace of the pro-Palestinian solidarity movement on campus in recent weeks has heightened precisely because of the University’s continued association with a member of staff whose actions and words are deeply harmful to many in the University’s community. Associating Palestinian solidarity actions and legitimate safeguarding concerns about Deutsch with antisemitic incidents whilst simultaneously failing to mention his recent conduct is deliberately deceptive and misleading. It is also deeply troubling that the University granted a formal leave of absence[9] and “wished him well” on his travels to Israel, according to the University’s Jewish Society.[10] Put simply, Deutsch’s actions cannot be morally justified and the inaction from the University in protecting its students’ well-being and safety in this matter is deeply troubling.

The University has chosen to decontextualise the situation unfolding on campus with regard to Deutsch and this gross misrepresentation inflicts great harm not only to pro-Palestinian voices but to Jewish voices. It appears that the University has erroneously conflated anti-Zionism and antisemitism; whilst antisemitism is profoundly unacceptable and must be rigorously challenged by academic institutions, many Jews within the University and globally are deeply disturbed by Israel’s conduct and have no adherence to the Zionist vision promoted by those who condone this war. Assuming that all Jewish students and staff on campus are aligned with Deutsch’s involvement in a potentially genocidal war against Palestinians perpetuates the mistaken assumption that all Jews subscribe to the Zionist ideology, which is itself an antisemitic assumption since it silences a significant segment of the Jewish community and denies the rich diversity of thought and belief amongst Jews.[11] As a Jewish student remarked, “the rhetoric he [Deutsch] is showing in these videos is dangerous and completely ignores the Palestinian side.”[12]

Deutsch’s presence undermines the safety and security of Palestinian students, researchers, and faculty at Leeds, forcing them to share their educational space with an individual who has publicly endorsed and participated in the actions of the IDF, which are a cause for concern to the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s ongoing case of genocide against Israel. The psychological and emotional impact on those who have personal or familial ties to the region cannot be overstated; for many, Deutsch's mere presence on campus is deeply traumatic. Furthermore, the University’s failure to protect Palestinian and Arab students and staff means it could be in breach of its 2022 ‘Policy on Safeguarding Children, Young Persons and Adults in Vulnerable Circumstances’.[13] The University has effectively marginalised, harmed and suppressed vulnerable students, as well as a significant number of pro-Palestinian voices who are rightly raising awareness about the appalling situation in Gaza and expressing their solidarity with Palestine. 

We understand that Deutsch is employed indirectly by the University, along with several universities in the region, through the national University Jewish Chaplaincy (UJC), an independent charity. However, this does not absolve the University of its responsibility to ensure it screens and reviews every affiliation it has. By failing to take a stance on this matter, the University is setting a dangerous precedent and permitting individuals, students or staff, to participate in foreign wars and enact possible war crimes against a civilian population while endangering our local community and inflaming tensions on campus. As a serving chaplain at the University, he must be accountable and bound to the code of conduct, regardless of whether he is directly employed by the University or not. 

Furthermore, according to its website, the UJC offers chaplaincy support to Jewish students across the UK. In a letter published on 13th October 2024, the UJC stated that university staff are responsible for creating “safe spaces for students and leave their personal politics at the door.”[14] A serving chaplain that has travelled to an active war zone to join a foreign nation’s army as it massacres a civilian population, while proudly showcasing and defending his political stance, clearly breaches the UJC’s own guidance to university staff. Moreover, in his capacity as chaplain, Deutsch has also violated this guidance by advocating for Israel’s agenda directly to Jewish students, mobilising for Israel’s political aims through a student group, and normalising the murder of innocent people. In addition, UJC services are designated for Jewish students, many of whom are strongly opposed to Israel’s actions in Palestine; such students have very serious safety concerns and would not be willing to engage with a chaplain who has expressed an explicit political stance and engaged in active combat against the Palestinians. Sophie Dunoff, Chief Executive Officer of the UJC, was quoted by The Jewish Chronicle as saying, “Since in Israel, Rabbi Deutsch has been keeping in touch with the students in his care, updating them and sending messages of goodwill via WhatsApp. None of these messages were inappropriate in any way.”[15] May we remind the University that Deutsch sent a recorded video of himself to students stating that “what Israel is trying to do is destroy the evil.”

Our concerns are not limited to the implications of Deutsch's return. We have also observed an alarming trend of harassment directed toward student activists advocating for Palestinian rights on campus. This behaviour, coupled with a perception of institutional bias against pro-Palestinian activists due to the conflation of anti-Zionism and antisemitism, raises serious questions about the University's commitment to upholding an environment where academic freedom and the right to peaceful protest and free speech are protected. The University’s stance is particularly troubling considering the landmark decision reached by the Bristol Employment Tribunal in the ‘Dr David Miller v. University of Bristol’ case on 31st January 2024, which ruled that the political sociology professor was discriminated against after being sacked by the University of Bristol for his anti-Zionist views.[16] As Professor Miller’s legal representative has stated, this judgement “establishes for the first time ever that anti-Zionist beliefs are protected in the workplace.”[17] Accordingly, we reject all attempts to stifle legitimate dialogue on the Zionist ideology, which many have argued is inherently racist, through the weaponisation of antisemitism, and we seek to remind the University of its academic and moral duty to facilitate such discussions safely and equitably.

We have also been made aware of two reports directly from students at the University documenting serious cases of targeting and harassment on campus. The distressing testimonies describe abusive behaviour directed at students supporting Palestine, including one involving a staff member working at a food outlet located at the University who publicly threatened and physically intimidated a student and their partner. In the other case, students distributing leaflets and protesting on campus were physically intimidated and had their resources damaged by counter-protestors.[18] In both cases, the reports make it abundantly clear that the University has not adequately addressed the complaints, nor provided support to safeguard the victims despite the presence of numerous independent witnesses and CCTV footage.

Instead, the University appears to have absolved itself of its responsibility to address the behaviour of the food outlet worker mentioned above despite the incident being reported, as well as Deutsch’s actions, on the basis that both are not directly employed by the University. We stand firm in our belief that this is simply not good enough; tenancy agreements and third-party chaplaincy services are still under the jurisdiction of the University. All staff members, whether directly or indirectly employed by the University, represent the institution and act on its behalf. Therefore, they must be bound by a universal code of conduct that protects students and staff in their educational spaces and implements strict measures against any breaches.

The University of Leeds prides itself on its vibrant, diverse community and its commitment to fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding. The decision to allow Deutsch to resume his chaplaincy role, however, casts a shadow over these values, signalling a tolerance for actions and ideologies that are deeply troubling and pose a very serious risk to the safety of all students and staff. Moreover, the “values of compassion and inclusivity” and the “diverse and global nature” of the campus community are not reflected in the University’s statement, precisely because of its failure to address the concerns outlined in this letter.

In light of these concerns, we urge the University of Leeds to:

1. Immediately suspend Deutsch from the University’s chaplaincy service as an urgent safeguarding measure.
   
2. Demand the removal of Deutsch from the UJC’s roster of staff. If the UJC insists on keeping Deutsch on, we urge the University to cut ties with the UJC and seek an alternative university chaplaincy service for Jewish students.
   
3. Take immediate and concrete steps to address and prevent the harassment of pro-Palestinian activists and supporters on campus. This includes issuing a public statement and providing support to those who have been targeted, ensuring that the University's policies on harassment and free speech are enforced equitably.
   
4. Implement clear policies that distinguish between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism in practice, ensuring that the University's stance is communicated effectively to all students and staff.
   
5. Implement a policy that applies to external staff who are employed by the University and are based on campus, ensuring that all workers are bound to a university code of conduct that prioritises student safety and welfare.
   

The University of Leeds stands at a crossroads, with a choice to make about the kind of community it wants to be. The institution has a longstanding and illustrious history in this city; leaving these serious concerns unaddressed is short-sighted and threatens to tarnish this legacy. If it fails to act on the concerns outlined in this letter, the University will be long remembered for being on the wrong side of history, particularly in light of South Africa’s ongoing genocide case against Israel at the ICJ. However, by taking meaningful action as described above, the University has an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to inclusivity, respect, and justice, ensuring that all members of its community feel valued, safe, and heard.

We are prepared to engage in constructive dialogue with the University administration, faculty, and student groups to address these issues. Together, we can work towards a community that upholds the highest ethical standards with integrity, respect, and compassion for all its members.

Sincerely, 

Leeds Palestine Solidarity Campaign
CAGE International
Tzedek UK/Ireland
Health Workers for Palestine
Leeds Council of Mosques
Leeds Islamic Centre
Abu Huraira Mosque
District and Branch Secretary, National Education Union
Doctors in Unite
Muslim Northern Women
Wharf Chambers
Azucar Creative Space
Universal Basic Income (UBI) Lab Leeds
Sheffield Jews Against Israeli Apartheid
Sheffield Labour Friends of Palestine
Exeter Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Peterborough Palestine Solidarity Campaign
West Surrey Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Aberdeen Healthcare Workers for Peace
Yorkshire Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament
Solid Minds Counselling
Director of the Centre for Religion in Society, York St. John University
Wakefield for Palestine
Leeds Beckett Palestine Society
Leeds University Palestine Solidarity Group
Leeds Socialist Worker Student Society
Huddersfield Freedom for Palestine
Brixton Palestine Solidarity Campaign
Student Rebellion Leeds
West Yorkshire for Palestine
Bradford Friends of Palestine
Bradford Palestine Speakers Corner
Bradford and Calderdale Socialist Worker Party
University of Bradford Palestine Society
SolidarioGB
University of Leeds Sudanese Society
Bolton branch, National Education Union
People & Planet

And all other cosignatories