24 Israeli academic institutions adopt IHRA definition of antisemitism

Twenty-four Israeli universities and higher education institutions have formally adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.

The decision is praised by advocacy organizations and student leaders, including the National Union of Israeli Students (NUIS), the World Zionist Organization, and CAMERA. NUIS, in collaboration with Israeli student unions, adopted the IHRA definition in January and called on academic institutions in Israel to take a similar step.

The IHRA definition is a framework for identifying and responding to contemporary antisemitism formulated in 2016. It has been adopted by more than 1,200 organizations, universities and other entities around the world.

The move coincides with Israel taking over the rotating presidency of the IHRA, an international body of more than 40 member countries dedicated to Holocaust remembrance, education, and research.

“Israel carrying the torch of the global fight against antisemitism this year as president of IHRA underscores the importance of organizations and bodies, including Israeli academia, to confront the unprecedented amount of antisemitism and BDS efforts that have raised their heads since October 7th,” notes Tom Yohay, manager of CAMERA on Campus Israel.