Addressing Antisemitism and Islamophobia

We accept that some believe that these definitions of antisemitism and islamophobia are imperfect, however we haven’t yet found alternative definitions that all our colleague and student communities agree with, and so until we are able to appropriately adopt alternatives, we will continue to use these definitions. 

We continue to develop further resources to raise awareness of, and guide our response to, the many and various forms of racism, including Antisemitism, Islamophobia, Sinophobia Anti-Black racism, and other forms of racial prejudice. By adopting these definitions, the University is demonstrating our commitment to tackling discrimination and various forms of racism.

The University applies these definitions in a manner which is consistent with our commitment to the principle, promotion, and protection of freedom of speech within the law, including academic freedom. Further information is available in our  Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech.

We have adopted the IHRA definition, which has been adopted by Government and other organisations around the world, which defines antisemitism as:

“A certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

As detailed within the IHRA definition contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:

• Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.
• Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective.
• Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.
• Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms, or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).
• Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.
• Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.
• Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination.
• Applying double standards by requiring of it a behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.
• Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism to characterize Israel or Israelis.
• Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
• Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.

For further information on the IHRA definition of Antisemitism, please click here.

We have adopted an amended version of the APPG’s definition following consultation with our colleague and student communities:

“Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of discrimination and/or prejudice that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness."

As detailed within the APPG definition of Islamophobia contemporary examples of Islamophobia in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in encounters between religions and non-religions in the public sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:

• Calling for, aiding, instigating or justifying the killing or harming of Muslims in the name of a racist/ fascist ideology, or an extremist view of religion.
• Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Muslims as such, or of Muslims as a collective group.
• Accusing Muslims as a group of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Muslim person or group of Muslim individuals, or even for acts committed by non-Muslims.
• Accusing Muslims as a group, or Muslim majority states, of inventing or exaggerating Islamophobia, ethnic cleansing or genocide perpetrated against Muslims.
• Accusing Muslim citizens of being more loyal to the ‘Ummah’ (transnational Muslim community) or to their countries of origin, or to the alleged priorities of Muslims worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.
• Denying Muslim populations the right to self-determination.
• Applying double standards by requiring of Muslims behaviours that are not expected or demanded of any other groups in society.
• Using the symbols and images associated with classic Islamophobia to characterize Muslims.
• Holding Muslims collectively responsible for the actions of any Muslim majority state, whether secular or constitutionally Islamic.

For further information on the APPG definition of Islamophobia please read the full APPG report.

We recognise these definitions and use them as practical guidance in demonstrating our commitment to tackling discrimination and various forms of racism. We will ensure that freedom of speech is not affected, by being clear on the following caveats:

•  It is not antisemitic to criticise the government of Israel, without additional evidence to suggest antisemitic intent. Nor is it antisemitic to hold the Israeli government to the same standards as other liberal democracies, or to take a particular interest in the Israeli government’s policies or actions, without additional evidence to suggest antisemitic intent.
• Criticism of Islam within legitimate realms of debate and free speech is not in itself Islamophobic.

Access our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy is available here.