A reader has sent me the following deeply disturbing account of the current atmosphere on a British law course:

'I must say it's been an eye-opener for me regarding the level of antizionism/antisemitism I have encountered from the people on the course, many of whom have training contracts and will go into practice as the next generation of lawyers. Upon realising the hostility I decided not to tell anyone that I was Jewish. 'One day, at the end of a workshop, someone raised the issue that an Israeli soldier was in the headlines for shooting a Palestinian boy. Three other people - an Asian girl who is Hindu, an Asian Catholic and a Philipino Catholic all jumped in at how they "hate" Israel and "agree with suicide bombers". At that point a young, white girl joined in claiming how she also agreed and how she'd been to a meeting of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and heard of how a farmer had his house bulldozed by the Israelis.

'I just had to intervene, and when I spoke up that I didn't agree with suicide bombing one bit and that dialogue is the best way to secure long-term peace, they were all silent and drifted away but the looks on their faces expressed that I was politically barmy! There are some religious Jewish men at the college who wear black, velvet kippot and I know one of them. I was so angry by the encounter that I went to speak to him about it afterwards and to see if he'd encountered such problems. He was bemused and told me that of the 22 people in his group he reckoned 22 "wanted him dead".

'To me this was an eye-opener and very shocking. I don't consider that I have lived a particularly sheltered life and I have friends of different colour, religion and shades of political opinion. I wonder what is being taught at these students' universities or why none of them are willing to hear the other side of the question. I appreciate that students like to have a cause and side with the underdogs - but it is always Israel that is especially singled out as a pariah state. No mention of Burma, China, Tibet, Saudi Arabia etc. It is definitely creating an intimidating atmosphere for Jewish students on campuses, colleges etc.

'I believe from my experiences the distinction between antisemitism and antizionism is blurred in young people's minds. My point in writing to you, and indeed emphasising the races/religions of those who are exhibiting these views, is that it is a cancer that goes deep into the heart of society and one that I was previously unaware of. No doubt this academic boycott of Israel will only serve serve to strengthen the hands of those who, from the comfort of their Islington armchairs, feel they can pontificate about the Middle East whilst I who have lived in Israel for a short while and have heard a bomb go off, must conceal my opinions/religion for fear of being ostracised and given an uncomfortable time.'