Jewish students 'left shaking' after being shouted down during uni debate on 'Israel's lies and propaganda'

However, the Cardiff Jewish Society said students who wanted to speak on the topic were "intimidated".

They said that one of their speakers had to be escorted away for their own safety.

A spokesperson from Cardiff Jewish Society said: "Last week, at Cardiff SU's AGM, students voted on whether the SU should 'teach students to spot lies and propaganda from the State of Israel'.

"We, the Jewish students who wanted to speak on this motion, were intimidated, abused and harassed.

"We were left shaking in our seats. Two Jewish students had panic attacks.

"One student, who took to the stage to make the case for peace and dialogue, was shouted down and had to be escorted from the debate for his own safety."

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It comes as the society claims it has been to the University to discuss concerns about safety on campus.

The spokesperson added: "We now fear for our safety on campus and we feel unsafe walking between lectures. Jewish voices were silenced.

"We just want to be able to do the things that other students do. Despite this, we will not be silenced.

"We refuse to be intimidated into not being proud of our Jewish identity. In a previous meeting with the university, they found it hard to believe that Jewish students were having a difficult time on campus. Do you understand now?"

A spokesperson from Cardiff University said: "We are concerned by the comments made in our Jewish Society’s statement. The University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor has already written to all students to reiterate the absolute need to behave with dignity and respect to all and setting out our zero-tolerance attitude to harassment and discrimination of all kinds on campus.

"It also sets out the support available both in terms of safety and support to students.

"The University is already undertaking a review of student behaviours at the AGM and other University events. This review remains on-going and will be published in due course.

"The University has been in regular contact with our Jewish Society and, following their statement, we will reach out again and consider what additional support can be put in place during these extremely challenging times. "

A spokesperson from Cardiff University Student's Union: "The Students’ Union is saddened to hear about the upset and fear from the Jewish student community since the AGM. To be clear, the Students’ Union will not tolerate any form of discrimination and is committed to supporting Jewish students to feel safe on campus.

"The Students’ Union Annual General Meeting (AGM) is one of the largest student democratic meetings in the UK, with nearly 1,000 students in attendance to discuss key issues and debate topics put forward by the student community.

"We take our responsibility to uphold freedom of speech very seriously and in preparation for the AGM many actions were undertaken to ensure students were aware of their role in ensuring that the meeting could be conducted respectfully.

"However, as students were informed, freedom of speech is not absolute and we are committed to act against any behaviours that lead to hate or discrimination, whether in our democratic meetings or in wider SU activity."

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The spokesperson added: "The proposer of motions – like “Ceasefire Now” - is given an allotted time to propose their motion, with the rest of the AGM attendees having the opportunity to speak against. This does not guarantee any student or student group a right of reply to any motion submitted as speakers are picked at random by the Chair and this is made clear to students attending in advance of the meeting.

"No students were escorted from the meeting for their own safety. Throughout the meeting, students gave emotive speeches during the motion debates.

"We recognise the strength of feeling and sensitivities surrounding some of the topics discussed and the Chair of the meeting set out to ensure that all speakers were heard as well as encouraging the crowd to be respectful and listen to speakers.

"At times during the meeting, students were vocal in response to some of the speakers, which we understand created a challenging environment for some. At one point the Cahir of the meeting paused the debate while they brought the AGM back to order and the speech was then concluded."

"Where we were able to identify students shouting abusive language, we removed them immediately. The Students’ Union in partnership, with the University, is reviewing the AGM content and will be concluding findings in the coming weeks.

"Since the AGM, the Students’ Union President met has met with the Jewish Society to listen to concerns from the group and to offer support and action moving forward."