UCU: Adopting a better definition of anti-Semitism

Motion

Motion text: Congress notes:
1. pressure from UK Government for universities in England to adopt the controversial IHRA definition;
2. passed motions from the 2017 and 2018 UCU Congresses opposing adoption.

Congress believes that the definition:
a. dangerously conflates racist views with legitimate political criticism;
b. threatens academic criticism of Israel, and Palestinian solidarity events;
c. undermines freedom of speech and intellectual thought central to universities;
d. compromises the fight against antisemitism and racism.
e. IHRA definition impedes campaigning against antisemitism.

Congress resolves:
i. Encourage institutions that want a definition to adopt Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism
ii. to call for a reject of the IHRA definition by universities that have not already adopted it, and for an amendment or codicil appended to it by universities that have already adopted it.
iii. Put pressure on institutions to campaign more actively against antisemitism
iv. Fully support members attacked or victimised for supporting Palestinian rights or through abuse of IHRA definition.