(Image: Jane Barlow)
The University of Edinburgh could rescind its adoption of a prominent definition of antisemitism, with staff citing concerns over its impact on academic freedom.
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism was adopted by the university in 2020.
However, a motion submitted to the institution’s elected Senate criticises the definition as "omitting commonly found negative perceptions of Jews, while focusing excessively on attitudes and speech relating to Israel”, and says the university should instead adopt a “pluralistic approach” guided by scholarship.
“This decision was taken in the context of significant pressure placed on all universities by the Westminster government to do so,” the paper, which is authored by members of the university’s Jewish Staff Network, states.
The IHRA definition has been criticised for "focusing excessively on attitudes and speech relating to Israel". (Image: Getty)
“It did not follow formal consultation with Senate nor with networks or groups of staff affected by the adoption of the definition, including Jewish staff.
“There is no universally agreed-upon definition of antisemitism, nor is there a consensus that such a definition is necessary. The IHRA definition is highly contentious, as was recognised by the July 2020 paper and in scholarly literature.”
According to the non-legally binding definition, drawn up in 2016 and subsequently adopted by the UK Government, Scottish Government and other organisations, antisemitism “is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews”.
Examples of antisemitic actions as defined by the IHRA include justifying the killing of Jews “in the name of a radical ideology”, denying the fact or scope of the Holocaust, and propagating falsehoods such as a “world Jewish conspiracy”.
The definition also states that it is antisemitic to “claim that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour” or “draw comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis”.
However, the definition clarifies that “criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic”.
According to the motion, the university’s current adoption of the IHRA definition “means that speech on highly contentious current political issues is governed by an imprecise and restrictive policy”.
The authors argue it is reasonable “to assume that this situation is having a chilling effect on free discussion”.
The paper, which has been submitted ahead of a Senate meeting on October 21, asks senators to approve the following motions:
That in matters of teaching and discipline, the University of Edinburgh adopts a pluralistic approach to the definition of antisemitism and other forms of racism and discrimination, guided by scholarship and in comportment with all applicable laws and regulations.
In keeping with this pluralistic approach, Senate recommends that the executive rescind its 2020 decision to adopt the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism so that the university is not constrained in its consideration and response to antisemitism by a single definition.
Other definitions mentioned by the paper include the Helen Fein definition, the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism (JDA), and the Nexus Document.
The JDA, which states that opposition to Israel or Zionism does not necessarily equate to antisemitism, has been put forward by a number of activists and academics as an alternative to the IHRA.
The JDA defines antisemitism as “discrimination, prejudice, hostility or violence against Jews as Jews (or Jewish institutions as Jewish)”.
It goes on to state that “criticising or opposing Zionism as a form of nationalism” is not antisemitic, nor is “comparing Israel with other historical cases, including settler-colonialism or apartheid”.
The JDA states that it is not antisemitic to oppose "Zionism as a form of nationalism". (Image: AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
The JDA identifies a number of actions relating to Israel and Palestine that would be antisemitic, including “holding Jews collectively responsible for Israel’s conduct”, “applying the symbols, images and negative stereotypes of classical antisemitism to the State of Israel” and “denying the right of Jews in the State of Israel to exist and flourish”.
The proposal comes more than a year after an independent review into the university’s historic ties to racism and colonialism recommended that the institution unadopt the IHRA definition.
The July 2025 report, entitled Decolonised Transformations: Confronting the University of Edinburgh’s History and Legacies of Enslavement and Colonialism, states:
"The IHRA definition violates academic freedom and freedom of speech by framing any criticism of Israel’s policies of settler-colonial dispossession driven by state racism as a form of antisemitism.”
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At the time, the university's official response to the review acknowledged that “Jewish and non-Jewish people alike hold a range of views on definitions of antisemitism, including the IHRA”.
Approached for comment, a university spokesperson echoed these claims, stating: “The University adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition in 2020, and we fully recognise this is a complex and sensitive topic.
“Our approach to this remains part of ongoing discussion at the university, and we will continue to engage with different views and perspectives.
“We are clear that antisemitism has no place on our campus, and we are committed to addressing it comprehensively, effectively and inclusively.”