City University Students Union has removed a defamatory reference to UK Lawyers for Israel (UKLFI) that formed part of the argument on its website for the University to reject the IHRA definition of antisemitism.

A referendum is currently being held of the City University students on “should the university reject the IHRA definition of antisemitism?”

Students campaigning for a “Yes” vote claimed, amongst other things, that “Over the years, students have been consistently intimidated and attacked by organisations like UK Lawyers for Israel”.

UKLFI wrote to the Trustees of City University pointing out that this allegation was false and defamatory of UKLFI and should be removed immediately.

Jonathan Turner, chief executive of UKLFI, commented: “Not only was this allegation false, it also turned the truth on its head: I have personally witnessed intimidation of students who support Israel at British universities, as well as receiving many reports of such intimidation.”

City Students Union responded by removing the reference to UK Lawyers for Israel, but the page still says falsely: “Over the years, students have been consistently intimidated and attacked by pro-Israel groups.”