The IHRA Definition: a toolkit for UCU members

A controversial definition of antisemitism that conflates criticisms of Israel with antisemitism has been used on campuses across the UK, leading to restrictions on the freedom of speech of staff and students. 

This is the conclusion of a report authored by the British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES), the largest academic association in Europe focused on the study of the Middle East and North Africa, and the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) into the adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism by Higher Education institutions. The report demonstrates that the definition is not fit for purpose and is infringing on academic freedom and freedom of speech, while also harming the mental health, reputation and career prospects of students and staff. 

Read the report here >> https://www.brismes.ac.uk/news/press-release-new-report-highlights-major-free-speech-issues-in-uk-universities 

UCU members have repeatedly criticised the IHRA definition on very similar grounds both at national and local level, through motions adopted by branches and at the union’s national congresses in 2017, 2018 and 2021. This toolkit provides resources for UCU activists who want to raise this issue within their branch and institution.

Model motion

This UCU branch notes that: 

  1. A report by the British Society for Middle East Studies (BRISMES) and the European Legal Support Centre (ELSC) has analysed 40 cases of accusations of antisemitism directed at students and staff based on the IHRA definition, which were recorded between 2017 and 2022. 
  2. By the time of the report’s publication in September 2023, with the exception of two cases which were still ongoing and had yet to be substantiated, all accusations of antisemitism discussed in the report were eventually rejected.
  3. The report highlights concerns that casualised staff are particularly vulnerable to the negative impact of unfounded allegations on their careers and their mental health 
  4. UCU Congress warned about the risks that the IHRA definition would be used to silence voices critical of the state of Israel in motions passed in 2017, 2018 and 2021. 

This UCU branch resolves: 

  1. To circulate the report to members
  2. To create an information page on our website with resources relevant to this question 
  3. To write to senior management echoing the report’s call for rescinding the adoption of the IHRA definition 
  4. To invite BRISMES to send a speaker to brief members on the report

Sample newsletter announcement

Major report on ‘The adverse impact of the IHRA definition of antisemitism’ corroborates UCU’s concerns that the antisemitism definition adopted by large numbers of universities in recent years has damaged academic freedom. Read online >>here

Sample website text

The IHRA Definition of antisemitism has been widely adopted in recent years by UK Higher Education Institutions. UCU branches and the national union have raised persistent concerns about the IHRA definition through motions passed at branch meetings and at UCU congress in 2017, 2018 and 2021. A report by the British Society for Middle Eastern Studies (BRISMES) and the European Legal Support Centre in September 2023 found that the IHRA Definition had led to restrictions on freedom of speech for staff and students, led to censorship and self-censorship and harmed the mental health, reputation and career prospects of students and staff. Read the report >>here

Background reading and resources