Cardiff University Students’ Union adopts International Definition of Antisemitism, but Students’ Unions at University of East Anglia and Queen Mary’s adopt wrecking Jerusalem Declaration instead
The Cardiff University Students’ Union has adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.
The welcome move will add pressure to Cardiff University, which earlier this year declined to adopt the Definition, ludicrously fearing “a potentially divisive situation.”
The motion was passed at the Students’ Union’s Annual General Meeting on 25th November, following unsuccessful efforts by student groups over the past year to pressure the University into doing so as well.
Elsewhere, Students’ Unions at the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Queen Mary University of London, failed to represent and show solidarity with their Jewish members by adopting the Jerusalem Declaration, which is a wrecking document intended to undermine the globally-recognised Definition.
Both Universities have themselves adopted the Definition, even as their students unions have now failed to do so.
It is understood that at the UEA Students’ Union, the measure passed amid controversy over the extent to which Jewish representatives would be able to contribute to the debate. The UEA Jewish Society said in an e-mail to the Union Council that “it is disgusting that this is even being debated and that non-Jewish people feel they have the right to tell us, the Jewish community, what antisemitism is.” The motion expressly repudiated the International Definition of Antisemitism, even though it is supported by Jewish students, the wider Jewish community and national governments around the world.
It is understood that the campaign to adopt the wrecking document has been underway for months at the campus. Jewish students are reportedly reviewing appeal options.
At Queen Mary University, the Students’ Union repealed its previous adoption of the International Definition of Antisemitism and replaced it with the Jerusalem Declaration. The measure was reportedly not discussed with Jewish students, who reacted with disgust.
Binyomin Gilbert, Programme Manager at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “We commend Cardiff Students’ Union for adopting the International Definition of Antisemitism and urge the University to follow the inspired lead of its students. We also call on the UEA and Queen Mary’s Students’ Unions to listen to Jewish students and think again.
“With efforts to water down the International Definition of Antisemitism increasingly failing, campus groups are now seeking to adopt the so-called ‘Jerusalem Declaration’ instead, which can only sabotage efforts to fight antisemitism.
“This week, we have seen students’ unions take the opposite approach to their universities: where the university has adopted the Definition, the students’ union adopts the Jerusalem Declaration, and where the university has failed to adopt the Definition, the students’ union does so.
“It is extraordinary that fighting racism should be so controversial: all universities and students’ unions, if they truly care about Jewish students, should be adopting the Definition in full and without caveat or substitutes.”
Campaign Against Antisemitism monitors the adoption of the International Definition of Antisemitism by universities.
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].
