Antisemitism in Universities

Goldsmiths, University of London

International Definition of Antisemitism

University

The College does not appear to have adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.

The College published a statement on its website on 24th June 2022. In the statement, the College confirmed: “The College is adopting two definitions of antisemitism, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition without case studies and the Jerusalem Declaration [on Antisemitism] definition…
The adoption … was approved in May by the College’s Academic Board, which is the highest academic authority at Goldsmiths, and was ratified by Goldsmiths’ Council, the College’s governing body, at its meeting on 23 June 2022.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism considers the examples to be integral to the Definition, without which an adoption is not complete. In a statement on 7th August 2018, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance reiterated the integrality of the examples to the Definition. In addition, the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, is a wrecking document designed to undermine the International Definition of Antisemitism. Accordingly, an institution that adopts the Jerusalem Declaration cannot be said to have adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.

Students’ Union

When asked on 31st July 2020, Goldsmiths Students’ Union failed to confirm whether it has adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.

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.

Dr Ray Campbell, an academic serving as an Associate Lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London and as a Teaching Fellow at Royal Holloway, University of London reportedly trolled Jewish individuals and groups online.

Goldsmiths, University of London, announced barrister Mohinderpal Sethi KC, for its independent investigation into antisemitism.

Goldsmiths, University of London announced an “independent review into antisemitism at the College”  but then undermined its own antisemitism probe by adopting wrecking Jerusalem Declaration and International Definition of Antisemitism but without examples.

It was reported that Goldsmiths Students’ Union refused to investigate its President, Sara Bafo, following allegations of antisemitism, despite being requested to do so by the University.

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.