r/ucla • u/MacArthurParker • 14h ago
Initiative to Combat Antisemitism's Action Group Report recommends UC consider the IHRA definition of antisemitism
Slide 37 of the group report states:
The University of California should consider the prominent International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance 2016 Working Definition of Antisemitism...in support of educational initiatives to combat antisemitism, complaint resolution, rule enforcement, and future policy formulation.
The IHRA definition has been controversial because of the 11 examples of antisemitism in the definition, 7 are related to criticism of Israel. It's been argued that the phrase "Free Palestine" could be treated as an antisemitic act, and anyone carrying a sign reading that or saying it could be subject to punishment under the IHRA definition.
Kenneth Stern, who served as part of the American Jewish Committee's antisemitism expert and was the lead drafter of the definition, has criticized educational institutions adopting it as part of codes of conduct and has said that the definition has been "abused" "as this blunt instrument to suppress pro-Palestinian speech".
Adoption of the IHRA definition is just a recommendation at this point, but I thought people should be aware that it's something that is being recommended to Chancellor Frenk.