Call for Academics to Sign Open Letter

Individual scholars are being called on to join the more than 600 scholars who have already signed the Open Letter by Canadian academics opposing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, organized by Independent Jewish Voices of Canada. Scholars are also called on to disseminate this open letter amongst their colleagues.

The so-called working definition on anti-Semitism is a major international effort by Israel and lobby groups, to which Canada adheres, which brands criticism of Israel and Palestine solidarity activism as “the new anti-Semitism.” They are advocating for the passage of the IHRA’s controversial definition of anti-Semitism by all levels of government, as well as institutions such as universities and police departments. The IHRA definition of anti-Semitism is a flawed document which equates anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism and, if implemented, poses a real threat to academic freedom, freedom of expression and the right to protest.

On its website, where the open letter is reproduced, Independent Jewish Voices states: “To be clear, anti-Semitism is a real problem and must be fought in all its forms. Independent Jewish Voices is active in the struggle against anti-Semitism. We reject all forms of racism and oppression. We believe that anti-Semitism is intimately tied to other forms of hate, and that it increases when racism, xenophobia and intolerance of all sorts are on the rise. For these reasons, we believe that the important battle against anti-Semitism is actually undermined when opposition to Israel’s oppression of the Palestinians is branded anti-Semitic.

If you’re a Canadian academic and want to sign the letter, click here.

This article was published in:

Renewal Update No. 69, November 29, 2021

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Call for Academics to Sign Open Letter