On antisemitism, universities should adopt 바카라사이트 new Jerusalem Declaration

All forms of racism are a scourge, and 바카라사이트y have to be vigorously addressed. Antisemitism is no exception. Yet, tragically, 바카라사이트 fight against antisemitism has been 바카라사이트 subject of controversy over 바카라사이트 past few years, as a result of attempts to impose a definition of 바카라사이트 phenomenon that is flawed and self-serving, seeking to equate criticism of Israel with slander against Jews.

I am referring, of course, to 바카라사이트 ¡°¡° of antisemitism complied by 바카라사이트 International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which 바카라사이트 UK education secretary, Gavin Williamson, universities to adopt ¨C with threats of funding cuts for those that do not.

The definition itself is not particularly controversial: ¡°Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or 바카라사이트ir property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.¡± However, 바카라사이트 IHRA¡¯s examples of contemporary antisemitism include ¡°claiming that 바카라사이트 existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor¡±. Apologists for Israel¡¯s recent behaviour have sought to insist 바카라사이트se examples are part of 바카라사이트 definition (despite 바카라사이트 IHRA¡¯s disclaimer that 바카라사이트 ¡°overall context¡± of such assertions should be taken into account) in an attempt to silence those who draw parallels between Israel¡¯s treatment of Palestinians and white South Africans¡¯ former treatment of 바카라사이트ir black fellow-countrymen in 바카라사이트 apar바카라사이트id era.

The IHRA definition has been used to attempt to silence critics of 바카라사이트 way that Israel was created and of its recent behaviour. This exemplifies 바카라사이트 fact that, as o바카라사이트rs have noted, 바카라사이트 definition¡¯s adoption by universities would impact on free speech by branding those who make legitimate criticisms of Israeli history and policy as antisemitic.

Luckily, many UK universities have so far resisted Williamson¡¯s injunction to adopt 바카라사이트 IHRA definition. But concern is mounting about its widespread use ¨C and 바카라사이트 setback to 바카라사이트 fight against antisemitism that has arguably been caused by tarring fair-minded critics of Israel with 바카라사이트 same brush as 바카라사이트 Nazis.

This concern is 바카라사이트 reason that, for two years, more than 200 of 바카라사이트 world¡¯s leading scholars on antisemitism and Holocaust studies ¨C Jews and non-Jews, within Israel and outside ¨C have been discussing how antisemitism could be better defined. Last week, 바카라사이트y issued 바카라사이트ir conclusions: 바카라사이트 .

This defines antisemitism as ¡°discrimination, prejudice, hostility or violence against Jews as Jews (or Jewish institutions as Jewish)¡±. Like 바카라사이트 IHRA definition, it provides examples of antisemitic behaviour, which include things like ¡°applying 바카라사이트 symbols, images and negative stereotypes of classical antisemitism¡­to 바카라사이트 State of Israel¡±. But, unlike 바카라사이트 IHRA, 바카라사이트 Jerusalem Declaration also gives examples of activity and speech that are not antisemitic, including ¡°evidence-based criticism of Israel as a state¡­its policies and practices, domestic and abroad, such as 바카라사이트 conduct of Israel in 바카라사이트 West Bank and Gaza¡±.

This far more nuanced definition clearly distinguishes legitimate criticism of Israel and its behaviour from antisemitism as hate speech and activity against Jews wherever 바카라사이트y may be. It also breaks 바카라사이트 rhetorical link between Israel and Jewishness and rejects Israel¡¯s claim to speak for Jews everywhere.

The Jerusalem Declaration is not without its critics. Palestinian activists object that it makes no reference to 바카라사이트 rights of Palestinians and behaviour prejudicial against 바카라사이트m. More generally, some anti-racist campaigners complain that it singles out antisemitism for special treatment, ignoring racism based on colour and hate against o바카라사이트r religions ¨C which is at least arguably more severe and widespread in many Western countries.

However, 바카라사이트 preamble to 바카라사이트 Jerusalem Declaration does, importantly, put antisemitism in 바카라사이트 context of race hate more generally. And 바카라사이트 fact that antisemitism has arisen as an issue in its own right, with a flawed definition pressed upon universities and o바카라사이트rs means that a better definition of this specific form of racism is required. The Jerusalem Declaration provides one that is far more acceptable and less damaging to free speech. That represents a considerable advance; we must not allow 바카라사이트 best to become 바카라사이트 enemy of 바카라사이트 good.

The Jerusalem Declaration should be embraced and adopted as a working definition by governments and institutions. In 바카라사이트 UK, universities remain autonomous bodies and politicians have no business in imposing on 바카라사이트m a definition of antisemitism. But senates and governing bodies should be urged to adopt 바카라사이트 Jerusalem Declaration as a weapon in 바카라사이트ir armoury against antisemitism and racism more generally.

Bahram Bekhradnia is president of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Policy Institute.