Students and staff at the University of Sheffield rallied yesterday to urge the University of Sheffield to cut ties with its Associate Chaplain, an Israeli Defence Force (IDF) reservist, Rabbi Zecharia Deutsch.
University of Sheffield’s Campus Coalition for Palestine rallied outside the Students’ Union, chanting ‘free Palestine’.
Dr Lisa Stampnitzky, a member of staff at the university and UCU member at the rally, said: “I’m also Jewish myself and it’s for that reason that I’m particularly appalled that the university sees fit to [work with] Zecharia Deutsch”
“How can the university say that it takes this duty seriously when it permits such a person to serve in a position of personal advisor to students?”
Rabbi Deutsch is not employed by the University of Sheffield. He is employed by the University Jewish Chaplaincy (UJC) that provides Jewish chaplaincy support to students at universities across the UK.
Rabbi Zecharia Deutsch took leave from his role as chaplain at several universities in Yorkshire, including the University of Sheffield and Leeds, to serve as a reservist in Gaza last November.
Around the same period, Deutsch sent videos supporting Israel’s actions to a chaplaincy WhatsApp group for Jewish students in Leeds.
In the videos, he had said: “If you know the real story of what has been going on here in Israel over the last thousands of years […] no one can deny that Israel is dealing with this war with the utmost morality and good ethics.”
He continued: “What Israel is trying to do is destroy the evil… whilst also trying to deal with the civilians of Gaza in the best way possible”.
However, his claims have been widely disputed.
In the past days calls for ceasefire have grown with the United States now drafting up their own solution to the conflict.
South Africa have also since alleged Israel of committing genocide on the Palestinian people following the October 7 attacks.
They have taken the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). A verdict is still yet to be made.
The Daily Mail reported on Saturday 10 February 2024 that he was ‘forced into hiding’ from his home in Leeds after being advised by West Yorkshire Police after receiving death threats upon his return to the UK.
The death threats reported by the Daily Mail are not linked to the students and staff at the University of Sheffield.
Hillary Benn, the MP for Leeds Central, said on X: “The abuse and threats being directed at the Jewish Chaplain and his wife and at Jewish students at Leeds University is anti-semitism. I’ve contacted the university to ask what they are doing to protect and support Jewish staff and students.”
Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Justice Now Campers had previously reported Deutsch, alongside five others who joined the IDF, to Sheffield’s Snig Hill Police Station in January 2024.
The campaign did so believing he was in contravention of the Foreign Enlistment Act. It is not illegal for an Israeli citizen to join the IDF.
The death toll from the violence in Gaza has reached over 29,000 as of 22 February 2024.
The violence in the region intensified after October 7 2023 when Hamas soldiers launched their deadliest assault on Israel killing 1,200 people.
Palestine Society first pushed for Deutsch’s removal last November after sending a letter of complaint which received 11,000 signatures.
The university took no action in removing Deutsch.
In an email sent to Palestine Society in response to their letter, a spokesperson from the university had said: “We understand that one of the Yorkshire chaplains, who is an Israeli citizen, has been called up as an army reservist and has taken formal leave of absence from his role supporting several Yorkshire universities.
“Any comments that this chaplain has made about the Israel/Gaza conflict were therefore made in a personal capacity and should not be interpreted as the University of Sheffield position.
“Following careful consideration and discussion, the UJC [University Jewish Chaplaincy] have arranged for Rabbi Dr Harvey Belovski to provide interim chaplaincy support for students at the University of Sheffield.”
Sheffield Coalition Campuses for Palestine have also since sent a letter via email to university student support service members asking for Rabbi Deutsch to cut its ties with the Rabbi.
In the letter they include several reasons for Deutsch removal taken from statements on the university website on religious activities on campus approved by the University of Sheffield’s Senate in March 2002.
These include: rejection of intolerance and extremism, the university’s duty of care for all members, and the encouragement of good practice among chaplains.
The letter said: “From these aims it is clear that the University of Sheffield has a responsibility to terminate its affiliation with Deutsch on the grounds of his intolerant statements and actions.
“…Deutsch actions have shocked, horrified, and traumatised students, academics, and communities across Yorkshire.
“We, as a university, should be fostering an environment that is truly safe for all.”
Rabbi Deutsch can still be seen on the university website.
Last Wednesday, another letter was sent by current and previous sabbatical SU Officers to university executives, including Chancellor Koen Lamberts and SU CEO Daryl Ormerod, of failing to provide a duty of care to students and alumni affected by the conflict in Gaza.
In the letter, they expressed their “profound concern and dismay” due to the “the absence of a public statement or evident action” to support those affected.
The University of Sheffield has been approached for a comment.
