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

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Rejected Motion

801d Anti-Racism: Amendment to Tackling Anti-Semitism

MOTION: 801d
Heading: Anti – Racism: Amendment to Tackling Anti – Semitism (Amendment ADDS to the motion)
Submitted by: Bromley College, University of Westminster, City of Westminster College, School of Oriental and African Studies,
University of Manchester and Bradford University
Basket 1
Speech For: Bradford University (1 min)
Speech Against: Birmingham University (1 min)
Speech For: Bromley College (1 min)
Speech Against: Nottingham University (1 min)
Summation: School of African and Oriental Studies (0.5 min)

Conference Believes:

1. Racism continues to rise across society, endangering the welfare of all Black and Jewish students.
2. Motion number 703 citing the EUMC working definition of antisemitism seeks to label certain criticisms of Israel as anti- Semitic.
3. To do so would be to label large sections of opinion, including in the Jewish and black community – the key victims of racism – as well as others, as racist.
4. On February 5 2007, 150 prominent members of the British Jewish community, including Nobel laureate Harold Pinter, historian Eric Hobsbawm, lawyer Sir Geoffrey Bindman, film director Mike Leigh, and actors Stephen Fry and Zoë Wanamaker, launched Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) stating ‘The battle against antisemitism is vital and is undermined whenever opposition to Israeli government policies is automatically branded as anti-Semitic.’
5. Labelling legitimate criticism of Israel as anti-Semitic can only serve to destroy the broad unity necessary to effectively challenge all forms of racism including antisemitism.

Conference Further Believes:

1. 1. Motion number 703 also reaffirms NUS’ commitment to “no platform policy” for racists and fascists.
2. Confusing NUS’ “no platform policy “ with this issue sends a message that people will be banned from NUS on the basis of their views on Israel.
3. This can only weaken and undermine support for our important “no platform policy”.

Conference Resolves:

1. 1. Not to adopt those sections of the EUMC working definition of antisemitism that label legitimate criticism of Israel as racist.
2. To reaffirm our commitment to building the broadest possible unity against all forms of racism.
3. Add new conference resolves at the end “That the working EUMC definition will not be used to stifle debate and discussion regarding the morality or legitimacy of any country”.

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