City University Students Union BDS motion cancelled following complaint to Charity Commission

The Board of Trustees of City University’s Students’ Union (CSU) has overridden an anti-Israel BDS motion passed by students on 1 December 2021.  This follows a letter from UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) to the Students’ Union’s Trustees and a complaint to the Charity Commission by StandWithUs UK Fellow, Begzat

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NUS asked to sanction incoming President for breach of its antisemitism policy

UKLFI wrote to the National Union of Students (NUS) earlier this month, to warn them of incendiary views expressed by the incoming National President, Shaima Dallali, in statements on Twitter and elsewhere.  UKLFI strongly believes the statements are contrary to NUS policy. UKLFI considers these statements are antisemitic when judged

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UKLFI makes submission to antisemitism taskforce

UKLFI has submitted a note on antisemitism at universities and schools and the factors promoting it to the task force that has been set up to root out antisemitism in education in England at all levels. UKLFI has extensive experience of countering antisemitism at universities and schools over the past

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Manchester’s Whitworth Gallery removes statement of solidarity with Palestine

On 1 June 2021  a statement was posted on the website of the Whitworth Art Gallery expressing solidarity with Palestine and support for ‘decolonialisation’. This was in the immediate wake of Operation Guardian of the Walls, the conflict between Gaza and Israel. The Whitworth is part of the University of

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UKLFI urges Research Body to cease funding Professor Miller  

UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) has written to the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) highlighting concerns that have been raised about Professor David Miller of Bristol University.  The ESRC has previously provided substantial funding to Professor Miller, notably a grant of over £400,000 for a project titled “Understanding and

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UCL’s Academic Board recommends retention of IHRA definition while alternatives are explored

UCL’s Academic Board has voted to facilitate an alternative definition of antisemitism for consideration by UCL’s Council and to retain the IHRA working definition in the interim with further qualifications. The resolution is a non-binding recommendation to UCL’s Council, which will take the decision on any change to UCL’s adoption

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UCL Students’ Union decisively rejects move to cancel IHRA definition of antisemitism

University College London (UCL) students have affirmed their support of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, despite a move by some academic staff to persuade the university to retract its adoption of the definition. UCL adopted the IHRA definition in November 2019, as part of a concerted action to tackle racism,

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Sheffield Hallam University adopts IHRA definition

Sheffield Hallam University, one of the largest in the UK, is the latest to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism. Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) announced on 3 February 2021 that it had adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism. Lesley Klaff, senior lecturer in law at the University, Editor of the

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Appeal Panel recommends investigation into “toxic, antisemitic environment” at SOAS

Student antisemitism victim receives £15,000 compensation from SOAS An Appeal Panel appointed by the School of Oriental and African Studies at London University (SOAS) to consider a student’s complaint has recommended that there should be an independent investigation into whether there was a toxic, antisemitic environment and institutional antisemitism at

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Move to retract UCL’s adoption of IHRA definition of antisemitism

Some academics at University College London (UCL) are pushing to retract the University’s adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism. A vote of the advisory Academic Board, which was to take place on 16 December, has been rescheduled for January “to allow proper debate”. The Academic Board previously set up

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