The University has adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism in full, including all of its examples.
The Definition was adopted on 18th February 2020.
It is unclear from the University’s response to Campaign Against Antisemitism whether it applies the Definition in disciplinary matters, confirming that: “The University has two policies under which it can investigate allegations of antisemitism for disciplinary purposes. The Respect at Work Policy covers the workplace whilst the Respect at Study Policy covers student members of the University. Antisemitism would fall under the definitions of discrimination, bullying and harassment set out within those policies.”
This information was obtained after Campaign Against Antisemitism submitted a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 on 8th July 2020. On 27th October 2020, the University responded.
As part of its response, the University provided minutes of a meeting on 18th February 2020, which show that the Definition was adopted. Additionally, the University published a statement on its website.
When asked on 28th October 2026, Durham University Students’ Union told Campaign Against Antisemitism that it had adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism in full.
Durham University Students’ Union told Campaign Against Antisemitism: “Durham SU [sic] first adopted IHRA [sic] in 2018, including all of the definitions, following a motion to our student Assembly. In 2020, I worked with our JSoc to write a policy which would also be adopted by our Board of Trustees, and which would guide all Durham SU activity for all of its people. This was adopted on 17 March 2021.
We were the first students’ union to adopt IHRA [sic] at Board level, we believe, and we were recognised in Lord Mann’s ‘Good Practice Guide: Eight Simple Steps for Facilitating Jewish Life and Tackling Antisemitism in Higher Education‘ for our approach…”.
