Universities which don’t adopt IHRA definition may have funding cut
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick told academic institutions they 'must' adopt the international definition of face losing funds
Universities and councils that do not adopt a new definition of antisemitism could have their funding cut, the Government has said.
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick is targeting learning institutions and local authorities which have not adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition over fears that it limits free speech on Israel.
In recent years ministers have encouraged councils and universities to adopt the definition, while acknowledging that it was their decision whether to do so or not, but Jenrick has changed the tone, this week saying the “must” adopt it.
He said 136 of the 343 local authorities in England have adopted the IHRA definition and warned that he would name and shame those that had ruled out doing so.
“All universities and local councils that have not already done so must adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism,” he said. “It is shocking that some still haven’t, demonstrating a serious lack of respect for this issue.
“I will shortly publish the list of those councils that have told my department that they will adopt the definition and those who have explicitly refused to do so. Organisations like these should not expect to receive public money if they cannot demonstrate that they are fighting antisemitism.”
Doncaster Council this week became the latest local authority to adopt the IHRA definition, with Deputy Mayor Cllr Glyn Jones specifically referencing Jenrick’s threat as he announced that the council was signing up to it.
Last week Andrew Percy MP, who converted to Judaism in 2017, criticised universities refusing to adopt it, including Warwick University, where Vice-Chancellor Stuart Croft recently said he saw “no added value” in the definition.
The Government this week said that the Jewish Leadership Council was “working alongside [Jenrick] to encourage local authorities to adopt the IHRA”.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
