"Globally, scholars who criticize Israel are facing an increasingly uphill battle to protect their academic freedom.
Redefining antisemitism
At the heart of the issue rests the new definition of antisemitism by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA). Proponents of the IHRA definition are part of what some are calling a new antisemitism movement that seeks to label criticism of Israel as antisemitic.
While challenging antisemitism is vital, Canadian critics of the IHRA definition argue that the new language could “chill political expressions of criticism of Israel as well as support for Palestinian rights.”
The IHRA definition is vague. It fails to connect antisemitism to other forms of racism. It also appears more intent on silencing critics of Israel than halting antisemitic threats from far-right white supremacists.
A series of open letters by scholars have warned against adopting this definition, including in Canada, the United Kingdom and Israel.
The main issue with the IHRA’s definition of antisemitism is not its short 38 word definition, but the 11 illustrative examples of anti-Semitism. Seven of these examples equate criticism of Israel with antisemitism. Two of them reference Israel without mentioning Jewish people.
Israel should be subject to the same critiques as other nations.
One of the original draftees of the IHRA definition, Kenneth Stern, now says that the new language “weaponizes” the definition of antisemitism." ... READ MORE
Criticizing Israel is not antisemitic — it’s academic freedom
Updated: April 19, 2021
https://theconversation.com/criticizing-israel-is-not-antisemitic-its-academic-freedom-148864
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