Cardiff is one of over 30 UK universities yet to adopt definition of antisemitism

Jewish students have said not adopting the definition encourages hostility and ‘extremism’

2 days ago

It has been disclosed that Cardiff University, alongside over 30 UK universities, has yet to adopt the definition of antisemitism coined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

This definition was adopted and introduced into the UK Government in December 2016, and defines antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews”.

The definition also mentions “contemporary examples”, including harming Jewish citizens physically and/or verbally as well as “holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the State of Israel”, alongside 11 further examples.

According to The Times, those who have adopted the IHRA definition, alongside the Jerusalem definition, “discrimination, prejudice, hostility or violence against Jews as Jews (or Jewish institutions as Jewish)”, are named to be the University of London and Goldsmiths, as well as the University of Nottingham and the University of Birmingham.

Cardiff University has said it did not adopt the definition as it wanted to avoid excluding “other faith groups or races in relation to whom definitions are not adopted”. It also added that “avoiding such a potentially divisive situation was key to Council’s decision not to adopt”.

Sami Berkoff, the head of the Union of Jewish Students, has said that the increase in antisemitic behaviour at universities has “exploded into a disturbing norm” after the events of October 7th 2023, and has allegedly snowballed into acts of hate and an “extremist rhetoric” which is being amplified.

Sami said: “This is not a marginal issue. It’s a daily, lived reality for Jewish students who find themselves isolated, often politicised against their will, and vilified, simply for who they are.”

Plumber breaks silence on what his experience with Bonnie Blue was really like

The bleak aftermath of Bonnie Blue’s 1,000 guys in 12 hours challenge, in pictures

Woman who ‘died’ for eight minutes describes exactly what she saw, and it’s terrifying

The head of the Union for Jewish Students claimed many universities have discouraged a safe space for students to express their “diverse views”, and instead supposedly allow “hardline narratives to slip and sometime stumble head-first into hostility”.

She added how identities of Jewish students are “reduced to political symbols and protest signs”, meaning they are not seen through the lens of individuality but rather as “extensions of foreign policy” which reenforces the hostility and isolation Jewish students feel at their universities.

Sami continued to say: “On university campuses, where Jewish students face hostility through verbal abuse, exclusion, violence, or the targeting of their Jewish identity under the guise of political activism, the IHRA definition helps distinguish between legitimate political discourse and antisemitism.”

Sami’s stressed importance of universities adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism is mirrored by the President of The Cardiff University Conservative Association in 2021, where he said: “The adoption of this definition is of vital importance to the safety of Jewish students on campus”, further expressing his concerns that “it cannot be delayed any further.”

Antisemitic behaviour has increased since the events of October 7th, creating an environment where the “exploration of terror groups” is being “amplifies”, according to Jewish students. This stands alongside the StandWithUS 2024/25 UK Voice of Students report where a student said: “I feel abandoned and discriminated against the Union that is supposed to support me.”

A Cardiff University spokesperson told The Cardiff Tab: “The university chose not to adopt the IHRA working definition of antisemitism and the All-Party Parliamentary Group of British Muslims’ definition of Islamophobia following extensive discussion.

“The university’s Council concluded that adopting selected religion or race-specific definitions may have the unfortunate consequence of appearing to exclude other faith groups or races in relation to whom definitions are not adopted. Avoiding such a potentially divisive situation was key to Council’s decision not to adopt these definitions. Council was clear that the university’s existing policies, which sit within wider legislative frameworks, are robust.

“The University also references the IHRA definition in the guidance section on our staff and student intranet relating to the institution’s Dignity at Work and Study policy, in which antisemitism is explicitly identified as behaviour that is completely unacceptable.

“Our Disclosure Response Team also provides expert support to any student experiencing hate crime, including those on the grounds of religion, and we actively remind students that this service is available to them on a regular basis.”

Mischa Denney-Richards | News