Antisemitism Statement

In September 2021, the College’s senior management and Board of Governance adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism:

“Antisemitism is 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.”  

 

Along with the clarifications recommended by the Home Affairs Select Committee in 2016 to protect freedom of speech:

• It is not antisemitic to criticise the Government of Israel, without additional evidence to suggest antisemitic intent.
• It is not 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.

 

The IHRA definition is a useful tool for understanding how antisemitism manifests itself in our society. It will be used as a test to establish whether behaviour that is in breach of the College’s rules is antisemitic.

 

The College remains committed to the general duties of the Equality Act 2010 which are to:

• Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation in all forms.
• Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.

 

Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.