Universities urged to adopt anti-semitism definition
UNIVERSITIES have been accused of displaying a “disturbing” reluctance to back the anti-semitism definition, as Gavin Williamson warns they could face fines by Christmas.
The Education Secretary said that the number of universities adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of anti-semitism is “shamefully low”.
In a letter to vice- chancellors he praised universities for being quick to declare their “readiness” to take action against racism in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests this summer. But Mr Williamson added that it is “frankly disturbing” that so many are “dragging their feet on the matter of anti-semitism”.
Anti-semitic incidents on university campuses rose by 38 per cent year-onyear in the first half of 2020, according to an analysis by The Community Security Trust. Last month, The Daily Telegraph revealed that almost 80 per cent of universities have yet to adopt the IHRA’S definition of anti-semitism.
Just 29 of the UK’S 133 higher education institutions have embraced the definition on anti- Semitism, with both Oxford and Cambridge among the universities to have refused. Some cited academic freedom of speech as a reason not to use it, while others said there was no need for a specific definition to be adopted in policy.
The IHRA definition states that antiSemitism “is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews”.
It says: “Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community i nstitutions and religious facilities.”
It gives a number of examples such as holding Jews responsible for the actions of Israel and comparing Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
In his letter to university leaders, Mr Williamson warned they could face fines by Christmas if they fail to demonstrate they are taking the issue seriously.
He said: “I have asked my officials to consider options that include directing the [Office for Students] to impose a new regulatory condition of registration and suspending funding streams for universities at which anti-semitic incidents occur and which have not signed up to the definition.”
The Government adopted t he IHRA definition in 2016 and the following year ministers wrote to university chiefs to alert them about the IHRA definition and ask them to ensure that it is “widely known and clearly understood”.
Last year, the Government wrote to all local councils demanding that they adopt the definition. However, it is understood that there are no plans for ministers to put pressure on private companies or businesses to do the same.
Marie van der Zyl, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said she welcomed Mr Williamson’s intervention. “There is no excuse for them not to take this essential step,” she said.
A spokesman for Universities UK said: “We recommend universities do all they can to tackle anti- Semitism, including considering the IHRA definition, whilst also recognising their duty to promote freedom of speech within the law.”
‘I have asked my officials to consider options that include suspending funding streams for universities’