Israel lobby uses discredited anti-Semitism definition to muzzle debate

Ben White

The Electronic Intifada

28 September 2012

A shelved EU draft definition of anti-Semitism is being used to stifle criticsm of Israel on US campuses.

Top administrators at the University of California are considering what action to take against speech and activities alleged to be anti-Semitic. As part of their discussions, the university may endorse a seven-year-old document, which — despite not having an official status — is often called the European Union’s “working definition” of anti-Semitism.
Although the administrators have indicated that their motive is to protect Jewish students, a careful examination of the definition indicates that the real agenda may be to stifle Palestine solidarity activism and criticism of Israel in the classroom.
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