Antisemitism in Universities

University of Birmingham

International Definition of Antisemitism

University

The University has adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism in full, including all of its examples.

The Definition was adopted on 25th November 2020.

This information was obtained after Campaign Against Antisemitism submitted a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on 14th July 2020. On 11th August 2020, the University responded. On 16th March 2022, the University updated its response.

As part of its response, the University provided minutes of a meeting of its University Council on 25th November 2020, which show that the Definition was adopted. Additionally, the University published a statement on its website on an unknown date.

Students’ Union

When asked on 7th August 2020, University of Birmingham Guild of Students confirmed that it adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism on 22nd June 2020.

Incidents

The following are recent incidents that have been reported to us, however we recognise that antisemitism is chronically underreported and it is possible that there are incidents that have not been reported. To report an incident, please contact us.

Individuals linked to an Islamist group that describes Jews as “monstrous”, reportedly spoke at British universities.

Birmingham University’s Prof. Rebecca Gould seems to identify as Jewish only when criticising efforts to fight antisemitism.

Police in Birmingham are treating as a hate crime the discovery of “a number of antisemitic posters” including one of Adolf Hitler captioned “Hitler was right” at the University of Birmingham.

Jewish life on campus

The incidence of antisemitism on a university campus and how the university and its students’ union address antisemitism are matters of serious concern. At the same time, they do not represent the totality of Jewish life on any campus. For further information about Jewish life on campus, please contact the local Jewish Society or Jewish chaplain.

No student should have to endure antisemitism. Campaign Against Antisemitism provides specialist help to students who have experienced antisemitism, including free legal representation. For assistance with antisemitism on campus, please contact us.