Campaign of “misinformation” alleged to be behind overturning of resolution backing International Definition of Antisemitism at Michigan State University
It has been alleged that a campaign of “misinformation” is behind the overturning of a resolution in support of the International Definition of Antisemitism at Michigan State University (MSU).
It is understood that Jewish Students at MSU withdrew their resolution to adopt the Definition following a campaign by, among others, members of Students United for Palestinian Rights (SUPR), which erroneously claimed that the Definition plays “an active role in silencing political thought” around what it calls “the occupation of historic Palestine.” It called, instead, for the adoption of the Jerusalem Declaration, a wrecking document intended to undermine the globally-recognised International Definition of Antisemitism.
According to a statement by MSU Hillel, the resolution to adopt the Definition was initially passed with an 81 percent majority in the Students’ General Assembly on 18th March, but in the days that followed student representatives began to withdraw their support and a special session was arranged for 6th April to “reconsider” the measure.
Jordan Robinson, a senior representative of the Jewish Student Union, which proposed the resolution in favour of the Definition, alleges that the decision to overturn the adoption was achieved after “a bunch of SUPR representatives participated anonymously” in virtual meetings to discuss the issue. “They disguised their names or identities and disrupted the process by disseminating misinformation,” he claimed.
MSU Hillel noted that the Jewish students supporting the Definition were asked to return to the students’ General Assembly to explain why each example cited by the Definition constituted antisemitism. This campaign reportedly made the Jewish students “feel victimised” and “isolated” and the “Jewish Student Union ultimately decided to rescind” the resolution.
Maddi Jackson of MSU Hillel pointed out that, notwithstanding several antisemitic incidents on campus, MSU’s Jewish community was being treated differently from other minorities, for whom anti-discrimination measures had been passed by the General Assembly. “All victims of hate have the right to define that hate. The Jews are no exception,” she said, adding that the Definition was being “politicised and weaponised” against Jews.
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