The Pinsker Centre think tank calls for more robust enforcement of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism
June 3, 2021 16:33
Student unions and faculty bodies at a quarter of the UK’s top 40 universities have published “highly partisan, anti-Israel statements” in the wake of the 11-day war, a new report has found.
The Pinsker Centre think tank called for more robust enforcement of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism and other changes to protect Jewish students on campus.
The widely adopted IHRA definition has been backed by the UK government, Jewish groups and dozens of countries and universities, though some critics on the left say it stifles free speech.
"It is increasingly clear that adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism at universities has limited effect in the absence of strong disciplinary frameworks for its enforcement,” said Pinsker Centre chairman Jonathan Hunter.
“Our report calls for universities to take tougher measures to ensure the wellbeing of Jewish students.”
Changes should include strong sanctions for university officials found to have breached IHRA and for the Charity Commission to update its student union guidance on political statements.
The think tank highlighted in its report several examples of statements about the conflict from groups at the UK’s leading universities.
It also warned of a “potential link between highly emotionally charged statements on the Israel-Gaza conflict” and allegations of anti-Jewish racism on campus.
Some of the reactions could be construed as breaching the IHRA definition, the report said.
A letter signed by at least 39 academics at the University of Sussex referred to “racial apartheid” and “genocide”, the think tank said, while another statement from students, staff and alumni at the London School of Economics backed rescinding the adoption of the IHRA definition.
The report also highlighted an open letter backed by more than 1,600 students, societies and academics at the University of Cambridge calling on the institution to condemn “the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah, Jerusalem” and assaults against Palestinians.
The University of Cambridge did not immediately return a request for comment.
A spokesperson for the university of Sussex, which has adopted in full the IHRA definition, stressed the letter cited in the report had been signed by individual academics and not the university.
The university also said it took its “position on this extremely seriously and are committed to taking action if, at any point, actions contravene the IHRA definition.”
LSE said the definition remains a core element of its commitment to tackling harassment and racism but that it does not accept “that every example used by the IHRA as illustrations of antisemitism fall within the definition of antisemitism, unless there were additional evidence to suggest antisemitic intent.”
The Charity Commission, meanwhile, said it would “carefully assess” the Pinkser Centre report.
“It's concerning to hear these reports. Our guidance makes clear our expectations of all trustees around political activity and campaigning,” a spokesperson told the JC.
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