British universities are living in the midst of an increasing controversy caused by the definition adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance for Anti-Semitism, after the Academic Council of the University of College London announced its decision to reconsider this definition, because it puts "academic freedom of expression in threat."

And the Faculty Council at the university - which is among the most prestigious universities in the United Kingdom - announced that it recommends the university administration to set its own definition of anti-Semitism instead of the definition adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which was adopted by the administration.

Despite the British government’s warnings - especially the Ministry of Education - against cutting support for any university that refuses to adopt this definition, many universities are still engaging in broad discussions on this controversial topic, which some British academics see as an indication of limiting academic freedom of expression.

A former London protest rejects the new definition because it aims to stop criticism of Israel and harm Palestinian rights (Getty Images)

Tariff War


The faculty board at College London recommended that the definition of anti-Semitism be reformulated to replace the one currently approved by the university. This decision comes after a report issued by the faculty at the university at the end of last year warning that the definition of anti-Semitism approved by the university “confuses racist ideas. Against the Jews and between the political debate on Israel and Palestine. "

The report, carried out by a working group at the university, indicated that such a definition "will harm academic freedom of expression, and provoke a culture of fear and self-censorship from delving into controversial topics in the classroom."

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition includes a few words stating that anti-Semitism "is a specific view of the Jews, which can be expressed as hatred of the Jews, and the rhetorical and material manifestations of anti-Semitism directed at Jews or non-Jews and their property, and towards the institutions of the Jewish community and religious facilities."

The decision of the faculty at "College London" sparked many supporters of the pro-Israel lobby in Britain, who considered that the definition is approved by the most prestigious universities, including Cambridge and Oxford, but according to the figures of the Union of Jewish Students in Britain, there are only 48 universities Out of 133 Britain adopted the definition despite government warnings.

The Ministry of Education's warnings to universities did not pass to cut support in case they did not adopt this controversial definition unnoticed. In a letter published by the Guardian newspaper to a number of senior lawyers in the country, they affirmed that the Ministry of Education's warnings violate the law and the principle of university independence and the right to freedom. Expression.

The British Lawyers' letter affirms that the well-established and legally affirmed right to freedom of expression is undermined by promoting a legally non-binding definition of anti-Semitism, warning that promoting this definition and pushing for its adoption lead to "shrinking the ceiling of debate, and universities that reject the principle of restriction must be supported." Academic freedom. "

The decision of the faculty at College London led to protests from supporters of the pro-Israel lobby (Getty Images)

Fear in universities


Professor Kamel Hawash, a professor at the University of Birmingham, in Britain, received the decision of the faculty at College London, considering that this decision “came after extensive studies by academics specializing in anti-Semitism, all of which considered that the adopted definition is not suitable for the task of stopping anti-Semitism, but rather Its primary purpose is to limit criticism of Israel's policies. "

The British academic of Palestinian origin added that as a university professor and advocate of human values, he wants racism against Jews and non-Jews to stop, "but without attempts to silence and stop criticism of the occupation state and prevent the Palestinians from presenting their narrative of what is happening in their homeland."

He pointed out that the decision of the faculty at "College London" gave a lot of impetus to this topic, "and this is the beginning of a review of this controversial definition, and also highlights the threats practiced by the Minister of Universities to adopt this definition."

Hawash affirms that "this definition has spread an atmosphere of fear among academics and students, and some people are now avoiding this issue in order not to be stigmatized as anti-Semitic and the professional and academic consequences of that," in his response to the defenders of the International Federation's definition of the Holocaust remembrance that no Recording the dismissal of any professor or the suspension of any university activity under this definition of anti-Semitism.

The Palestinian activist stressed the importance of the struggle "so that universities remain a place for free expression without fear, and to talk about the truth about what is happening in Palestine."

Hawash: The new definition of anti-Semitism has spread an atmosphere of fear among academics (Al-Jazeera)

Precedent in the country

Afaf Al-Jabri, head of the refugee graduate program at East London University, talks about the impossibility of completing her academic work in this program if this definition of anti-Semitism is approved, saying that "it will put us in a great challenge, because it is not possible to raise the issue of refugees, for example without talking about Palestine." And Palestinian refugees. "

Through her supervision of this academic program, Dr. Al-Jabri confirms that this definition will prevent talking about what happened in 1948 and the Israeli settlement policies, and as she is the main responsible for the situation of Palestinian refugees in various countries of the world, confirming that her role as a university professor and defender of Palestinian rights requires "addressing Israel as a project." Racist and occupation commits crimes. "

The Academy of Palestinian origin describes this controversial definition as "restricting academic freedom of expression, and we will not find freedom as academics to explain the situation."

Regarding the atmosphere prevailing among British academics in general, she says, "Everyone is afraid of interference by the Ministry of Education in universities, and this is a precedent in the country's history, because British norms require that government not interfere in the work of universities", affirming that the grouping of academics in Britain "is strong and will not allow Passing such a definition. "