• Shopping Cart Shopping Cart
    0Shopping Cart
Campaign Against Antisemitism
  • Link to X
  • Link to Tiktok
  • Link to Instagram
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to Youtube
  • Link to LinkedIn
  • Link to Mail
  • ANTISEMITISM
    • Definition of Antisemitism
    • Recognising Antisemitism
    • The Law of Antisemitism
    • Resources for Teachers
  • RESEARCH
    • Prevalence of Antisemitism
    • Antisemitic Crime Levels
    • Prosecutions for Antisemitism
    • Effects on British Jews
    • Antisemitism in Political Parties
    • EHRC
    • Antisemitism in Universities
    • Antisemitism in Local Authorities
  • NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Media Centre
  • PODCAST
  • ABOUT US
    • Our Work
    • Spokespeople
  • HELP US
    • Subscribe
    • Volunteer with us
    • Intern with us
    • Work with us
    • Become a Student Ambassador
    • Donate
  • CONTACT
    • General Enquiries
    • Media Enquiries
    • Licensing
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu
United Kingdom, Universities UK-only e-mail list (not for international stories), Website

City University Students’ Union’s referendum against International Definition of Antisemitism is a shameful abandonment of Jewish students

City University’s Students’ Union has called a referendum for later this month on a motion urging the University to reject the International Definition of Antisemitism, in what amounts to a shameful abandonment of Jewish students.

A similar motion was brought to a student members meeting in November 2020, where all students could vote, and it failed by an overwhelming margin, with 66% declining to support it.

Despite the failure of essentially the same motion to pass late last year, the trustees of the Students’ Union have taken the rare step of calling a university-wide referendum in a desperate effort to pass the resolution, which is controversially phrased as to call for the University to “reject” the Definition even before it has adopted it.

Over seventy other universities in Britain have adopted the Definition so far, for which the Government, Campaign Against Antisemitism, the Union of Jewish Students and all other mainstream Jewish organisations have called. City University has not yet adopted the Definition.

In deciding to call the referendum, it is understood that the Students’ Union appallingly failed to consult the Jewish Society.

In a statement, the Jewish Society observed that “once again, Jewish students were not consulted about this motion going ahead, and we are left frustrated that the Students’ Union believes it’s okay for the topic of antisemitism to be debated in a public forum. Having a referendum on such an issue reinforces the idea that Jewish student safety has to be fought for rather than a right. The Jewish community should be allowed to define for themselves what antisemitism is, same as with any other ethnic minority. All of this makes us feel that the Students’ Union is neglecting its Jewish students and failing in its responsibility to support all students.”

Even when concerns were raised by the Jewish Society, “the Students’ Union was adamant about the referendum going ahead.” According to the Jewish Society “the Students’ Union has made clear that when discussing anti-Jewish racism, they will not prioritise Jewish student voices.”

Further questions have also arisen about the rules of the campaign and what role, if any, that the Jewish Society will be permitted to play. Campaign Against Antisemitism, which is in contact with the Jewish Society and has also been approached directly by concerned Jewish students on campus, is monitoring developments and has offered ongoing support.

Binyomin Gilbert, Programme Manager at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “City University’s Students’ Union has brought shame on the University. This referendum, apparently called after the failure of a similar attempt and without consultation with the Jewish Society, represents an abandonment of Jewish students by their own union. The goal of the campaign – to encourage the University not to adopt the International Definition of Antisemitism – is tantamount to reserving the right to be antisemitic. This referendum has no place on a distinguished campus. If it does proceed, City students are urged to show solidarity with their Jewish peers once more and reject this intimidatory motion.”

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]. 

Related

      
05/03/2021
Search Search
  • CAA calls for Gary Lineker to be removed from post after sharing inflammatory video13/05/2025 - 17:21
  • As arrests are made across the nation, the Government must heed our calls to proscribe the IRGC12/05/2025 - 18:18
  • We won’t let the pressure let up on Kneecap06/05/2025 - 21:09
  • BBC reiterates commitment to thematic review of Gaza coverage06/05/2025 - 10:37
  • University Rector wins appeal following dismissal over comments which made students “fear for their safety”02/05/2025 - 14:03
  • Kneecap dropped from Plymouth venue, following CAA action01/05/2025 - 15:01
  • Kneecap dropped from Eden Sessions festival, following CAA action30/04/2025 - 14:54
  • Vindicated: Harvard University publishes damning report on campus antisemitism30/04/2025 - 11:02
  • We will privately prosecute Kneecap if necessary28/04/2025 - 20:04
  • Jordan announces ban on Muslim Brotherhood24/04/2025 - 10:43

We are seeking to recruit a General Counsel a Creative Communications and Events Officer a Communications and Research Manager an Education and Outreach Intern to join our London office

Join the fight

Subscribe
Volunteer
Donate

Campaign Against Antisemitism is a volunteer-led charity dedicated to exposing and countering antisemitism through education and zero-tolerance enforcement of the law. Everything that we do is done by people who volunteer their time, using donations contributed by members of the public. Join the fight against antisemitism by subscribing to our updates, volunteering, or donating.

Related

Justice, justice, you shall pursue - צדק צדק תרדף
© Copyright - Campaign Against Antisemitism, all rights reserved. Our logo is a registered trademark.
Campaign Against Antisemitism is a charitable incorporated organisation registered with the Charity Commission (number 1163790).
Use of our website is subject to our terms. Trees are planted every year to keep our work carbon neutral.
  • Link to X
  • Link to Tiktok
  • Link to Instagram
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to Youtube
  • Link to LinkedIn
  • Link to Mail
Link to: Cross-party group of 100 MPs and peers berates Bristol University for inaction over David Miller and accuses him of bringing the University “into disrepute” Link to: Cross-party group of 100 MPs and peers berates Bristol University for inaction over David Miller and accuses him of bringing the University “into disrepute” Cross-party group of 100 MPs and peers berates Bristol University for inaction... Link to: French anti-vaccination protestors described as “brainless” for using yellow star at demonstration Link to: French anti-vaccination protestors described as “brainless” for using yellow star at demonstration French anti-vaccination protestors described as “brainless” for using yellow...
Scroll to top Scroll to top Scroll to top

We use cookies to track use of our website and your preferences. Use of our website is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Read more.Accept cookies and our terms of use

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Google Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.

If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Other cookies

The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:

Privacy Policy

You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.

Terms of use and privacy policy
Accept settingsHide notification only
SIGN UP FOR UPDATES BY E-MAIL

By default you will receive weekly e-mails, but when you receive the first e-mail you can change to daily or monthly e-mails instead.

If you prefer to subscribe later, you can do so by scrolling right to the bottom of this page.