NUS adopts EU's definition of Antisemitism, including recognising New Antisemitism, that is manifestations of antisemitism in relation to Israel.

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Passed Motion

801c Anti-Racism: Tackling Antisemitism

MOTION: 801c
Heading: Anti-Racism: Tackling Antisemitism (Amendment ADDS to the motion)
Submitted by: Birmingham University Guild of Students, Bradford University, Aston Students’ Guild and Nottingham University
Basket 1
Speech For: Birmingham University (1 min)
Speech Against: School of Oriental and African Studies (1 min)
Speech For: Birmingham University (1 min)
Speech Against: Staffordshire University (1 min)
Summation: Birmingham University (0.5 min)

Conference Believes:

1. The European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) in 2003 and 2005 released reports highlighting the increase in antisemitic crimes within the EU.
2. The EUMC in 2005 published the “Working Definition of antisemitism” defining 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”.
3. The working definition further defined that “such manifestations could also target the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity.” citing examples such as but not limited to;
   • ”Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust
   • Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour.
   • 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 (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) 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.”
4. In September 2006 the All Party Parliamentary Inquiry into antisemitism report after receiving comprehensive evidence as to the causes of the steep increase in antisemitic crimes, recommended that the EUMC working definition be adopted as the definition to be used by the government and law enforcers.
5. That the Macpherson report of the Lawrence Inquiry’s final report stated that “"A racist incident is any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person."
6. That recent figures have shown an alarming rise in violent racist attacks.

Conference Further Believes:

1. That racism in all forms is a scourge on society, that it has no place in education and that when it is found on our campuses, it should always be quickly and effectively removed.
2. It is our responsibility as a student movement to do everything in our power to fight racism
3. That religious minorities have the right to define their own subjection to prejudice
4. The student community is uniquely able to fight racism due to the diversity of the student movement and the strong existing Anti-Racism/Anti-Fascism (ARAF) platform national and locally.

Conference Resolves:

1. That the EUMC “Workig Definition of Antisemitism is be implemented at NUS in the Welfare zone.
2. To work with ARAF campaigns to ensure the EUMC definition is used to determine instances of Antisemitism and race hate on campus and that its recommendations are implemented throughout the student movement.
3. To work with the national ARAF campaign to combat racism on campus.
4. To ensure the EUMC definition is used to promote and enhance legitimate debate regarding the morality and legitimacy of international conflicts.

Return to main article NUS adopts EU Definition of Antisemitism