“Universities must not only adopt but apply the International Definition of Antisemitism” says CAA in meeting with Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi and other Jewish communal groups and University administrators
Campaign Against Antisemitism joined several Jewish communal organisations and University Vice Chancellors in a meeting today with the Education Secretary, Nadhim Zahawi.
At the meeting, which comes two days before Holocaust Memorial Day, Mr Zahawi spoke of his experience visiting the Nazi death camps and expressed his horror at recently receiving a letter from a student at the University of Edinburgh relating how she was given a set of striped pyjamas as an anonymous ‘secret Santa’ gift. “It makes my blood boil,” he said. “After all this time, the same vile behaviour is taking place.” He pledged to take up the issue with the University’s administration and his Scottish counterparts.
Gideon Falter, the Chief Executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, expressed concern at the meeting about the promotion of the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, a wrecking document designed to undermine the International Definition of Antisemitism. He also echoed remarks by Lord Pickles, an honorary patron of Campaign Against Antisemitism, emphasising the need for Universities not only to adopt the Definition but to apply it in cases of antisemitism.
It was agreed at the summit to share case studies and best practice, and universities were urged to engage with Jewish communal groups.
Just in the past week, controversies relating to academics have arisen at the University of Cambridge and the University of Glasgow, and in relation to a student at UCL. All three universities have adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.
Gideon Falter, Chief Executive of Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “I would like to thank Nadhim Zahawi for leading this summit and for his steadfast support for Jewish students and our community. It was clear from the contributions of all participants that much more work needs to be done.
“Several Vice Chancellors spoke of the efforts made by their universities to combat antisemitism, but we are aware of antisemitic incidents on some of their own campuses that have remained unresolved for some time now. We continue to work with and support Jewish students and staff who feel that their institutions’ administrations are not living up to their commitments to keep Jewish people on campus safe, and that remains a very serious concern for all of us who are fighting to clean up antisemitism on campuses.”
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].