(Image: Jane Barlow)
An anti-Zionist Jewish student group at Edinburgh University has backed a proposal to drop the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
A motion submitted to the institution’s elected Senate criticises the definition, adopted by the university in 2020, as "omitting commonly found negative perceptions of Jews, while focusing excessively on attitudes and speech relating to Israel.
On Friday, the university’s Kehillah society released a statement expressing support for the motion, with a spokesperson saying that the removal of the definition was a “core aim” of the group.
“The IHRA conflates anti-zionism with antisemitism, citing any criticism of Israel as potentially antisemitic. It is not antisemitic to criticize a state that is structured on ethnic cleansing, apartheid and genocide,” the spokesperson said.
Edinburgh University's Senate is to vote on the motion, which calls on the executive to drop the definition. (Image: NQ)
“Israel does not represent Judaism or the Jewish community, suggesting that it does is dangerous to Jews and to anyone who believes in free speech and academic freedom.”
The non-legally binding definition, which was drawn up in 2016 by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and subsequently adopted by the UK Government, defines antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews”.
Examples of antisemitic actions under the definition include making “claims that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour” or “drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis”.
However, the IHRA definition states that “criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic”.
This position has been roundly rejected by Kehillah.
“The IHRA's conflation of Judaism and Zionism offers a reductive view of antisemitism and also perpetuates antisemitism itself through its homogenisation of Jewish voices,” their spokesperson added.
“We urge for the immediate removal of this definition and an acknowledgement by the university of the harm that it has caused.
“The removal of this definition should not be a stand-alone action; the university must divest from all companies complicit in Israel's genocide of Palestine, end all AI research contracts with weapons firms, and provide scholarships for Palestinian students.”
The university’s Jewish staff and student body is split on the issue.
The Union of Jewish Students and the University of Edinburgh Jewish Society have expressed concerns about the motion, which was submitted by members of the university’s Jewish Staff Network.
Edinburgh University has been the site of a number of Pro Palestine protests over the last three years. (Image: Jane Barlow)
“The IHRA definition is an essential protection for Jewish life on campus and calls to drop it must be rejected,” the groups told The Herald.
“The vast majority of Jewish students support the IHRA definition, which has been repeatedly and unanimously backed by Jewish students at UJS' conferences, where any Jewish student can vote.
“Jewish students should be able to define antisemitism, in line with the Macpherson principle, a core anti-racist principle. IHRA engages sensibly with the boundary between antisemitism and legitimate criticism of Israel.
“The Senate must not pass this divisive and outrageous motion."
Read more:
- Antisemitism row as Greens bid to make Edinburgh first Scots city to boycott Israel
- University to consider dropping antisemitism definition amid free speech fears
- Scottish Jewish body urges Edinburgh University to retain antisemitism definition
The Macpherson principle states that incidents of racism should be recorded as such if they are perceived as racist by the victim or complainant.
Edinburgh University “fully recognises this is a complex and sensitive topic”, a spokesperson told The Herald.
“Our approach to this remains part of ongoing discussion at the university, and we will continue to engage with different views and perspectives,” they said.
“We are clear that antisemitism has no place on our campus, and we are committed to addressing it comprehensively, effectively and inclusively.”