Revealed: 43 British universities yet to adopt international definition of antisemitism

43 universities in Britain have still not properly adopted, or have expressly refused to adopt, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) international definition of antisemitism, new research reveals. 

According to Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), some of the universities that haven’t adopted the definition didn’t provide any cogent reasons, such as the University of Brighton and the University of Wales Trinity St David.

Some 134 universities have, however, adopted the definition. Other universities have not adopted the definition because it does not cover all faith groups, which includes Ravensbourne University London, Swansea University and the University for the Creative Arts.

Kingston University, Robert Gordon University and SOAS University of London said their existing policies already cover antisemitism and therefore adoption is not necessary.

“While SOAS University of London has not adopted the IHRA definition, we stand firmly against antisemitism, as we do against all forms of discrimination,” SOAS, for example, told CAA.

“Our SOAS Charter on Racism, Antisemitism and All Forms of Cultural, Ethnic and Religious Chauvinism makes a clear, demonstrable commitment to every member of staff and every student that we will not tolerate any form of racism or religious chauvinism, and that we will maintain an inclusive space for every member of our community,” SOAS added.

A spokesperson for CAA said that it commends the vast majority of British universities that have chosen to show solidarity with Jewish students and “do their part in the fight against anti-Jewish racism by adopting the International Definition of Antisemitism.”

“It is appalling that a minority of universities continue to take the opposite course, and it is astonishing that they persist in providing excuses that have already been debunked years ago. These universities are cowardly to pressure by those who either fail to appreciate the gravity of contemporary antisemitism or do not have the interests of British Jews at heart. It is cowardly. They must urgently revisit their positions,” the spokesperson added.