Academics at University of Edinburgh attack International Definition of Antisemitism in review
Academics at the University of Edinburgh have attacked the International Definition of Antisemitism in a recently published review.
The report, titled ‘Confronting the University of Edinburgh’s History and Legacies of Enslavement and Colonialism’, reads: “The IHRA definition violates academic freedom and freedom of speech by framing any criticism of Israel’s policies of settler-colonial dispossession driven by state racism as a form of antisemitism.”
The International (IHRA) Definition of Antisemitism, which was adopted by the University in 2020, can be found in full at antisemitism.org/definition. There is nothing in the Definition that supports the contention of this claim.
How the Jews – who are most affected by definitions of antisemitism – managed to be shoehorned into such a report is itself indicative of the times.
We have previously published a note on the relationship between the Definition and Freedom of Expression under the law, which can be found at antisemitism.org/universities/#freedom-of-expression.
Most brazenly, the authors of the report recommend that the University drops its adoption of the Definition, and, sickeningly, they view this step as part of a “commitment to equality, diversity and anti-racism”. That is about as clear an indication as one can find that some people simply do not seem to believe that Jews merit equality or inclusion and do not need to benefit from anti-racism initiatives.
A student at the University told us: “I am deeply upset and worried by the Review’s suggestion to un-adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism. Since 7th October, Jewish students on campuses across the UK have faced unprecedented levels of antisemitism, and many university campuses already feel unwelcoming and unsafe for Jewish students to freely express their identity. Un-adopting IHRA would stop Jewish students from calling out antisemitic behaviour. It would invalidate the real lived experiences of Jewish students, and deny us the right to be believed when we call something out as unacceptable. I am worried that un-adopting IHRA is a slippery slope where in the future, Jewish voices at the University of Edinburgh will be silenced in the name of freedom of speech.”
If any students are concerned about antisemitism on campus or need assistance, they can call us on 0330 822 0321, or e-mail [email protected].
