Jewish chaplains at UK universities recruited to be ‘advocates for Israel’
A chaplaincy service used by British universities to provide pastoral support for Jewish students requires its chaplains to be pro-active advocates for Israel, Middle East Eye can reveal.
The University Jewish Chaplaincy (UJC) is a registered charity that operates in dozens of universities across the UK. It provides chaplains and chaplaincy couples and says they are “there for Jewish students of all backgrounds and affiliations”.
The UJC is also currently advising ministers on new guidelines the government has promised to deliver on tackling antisemitism in higher education.
But in job descriptions on its website for vacant chaplaincy posts in Brighton, Bristol and Glasgow the UJC listed being a "pro-active Israel advocate" among essential requirements for candidates.
A “job opportunities” page on the UJC’s website appears to have been removed since MEE contacted the organisation. The UJC did not respond to repeated requests for comment about why it required its chaplains to be advocates for Israel.
Read more: Jewish chaplains at UK universities recruited to be ‘advocates for Israel’
