The University of Edinburgh is considering whether to reject an internationally recognized definition of antisemitism, which critics argue restricts free speech on the topic of Israel and Palestine. Additionally, the university is contemplating the divestment from companies accused of enabling human rights violations by Israel. Both issues are being examined by university officials as a report on the legacy of its historical ties with the region is released. The report is part of a broader investigation into the university’s involvement in colonialism and slavery.
The report recommends the university divest from companies believed to be complicit in Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the West Bank, reverse its adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, and establish a Palestine Studies Centre to examine the impact of the Balfour declaration and provide scholarships to Palestinian students. The report focuses on the consequences over the past century of the Balfour declaration, which was a 1917 statement by the British government supporting “the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people.”
Former British foreign secretary and University of Edinburgh’s chancellor, Arthur James Balfour, plays a significant role in establishing and maintaining a century-long process of imperial and settler-colonial rule in Palestine, leading to one of the longest-standing colonial occupations and apartheid regimes in modern history, according to the report. The IHRA definition and the university’s investments were already under review, with ongoing discussions regarding the controversies surrounding the definition. Graduation ceremonies have been marred by protests and walkouts by graduates, with some directly accusing the university’s principal, Sir Peter Mathieson, of complicity in the Gaza crisis.
The university is establishing a “responsible investment group” to examine its financial holdings, including investments in companies supporting Israel. The research on the legacy of the Balfour declaration was added to the broader study of the university’s links to colonialism and slavery following the Hamas atrocities of 7 October 2023, which sparked the war in Gaza.
The report’s authors, Nicola Perugini and Shaira Vadasaria, both academics at Edinburgh, argue that Balfour’s legacy is rooted in openly racist views and a record of supporting settler colonialism. They also suggest that the university’s allegiance to the IHRA definition restricts academic freedom and freedom of speech by framing criticism of Israel’s policies as a form of antisemitism. The controversial language and recommendations in the report are likely to be contentious, given the bitter divisions over the war in Gaza.
The university adopted the IHRA definition in 2020 without broad consultation with students and staff, according to the report. Critics say that the definition is used to protect Israel from legitimate criticism, while supporters argue that it is essential for protecting Jews from hate crimes and abuse. The majority of UK universities have adopted the definition following a threat by the Conservative government to cut funding to those that fail to do so.
Regarding divestment, the authors accuse the university authorities of adopting a “conflict-agnostic” approach, which denies the Nakba and its settler-colonial aftermath. A recent UN report highlighted the involvement of global companies, including those in which the University of Edinburgh is invested, in supporting Israel during its war in Gaza. The authors warn that failing to divest may lead to reputational damage and further campus protests.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/jul/27/edinburgh-university-could-unadopt-antisemitism-definition-after-report-into-its-colonial-links
