Parliament UK
Jonathan Gullis MP has written a letter to the vice-chancellor of Warwick University, Professor Stuart Croft, following the adoption of a motion by academics challenging the IHRA definition of Antisemitism.
In the letter, the Stoke-on-Trent North MP referred to a December 2020 report published by the Community Security Trust (CST) and the Union of Jewish Students (UJS) which found that Warwick University had “failed to address Jewish students’ concerns seriously and in a timely manner”.
He also cited the Macpherson Principle of anti-racism, which allows victims to define what constitutes prejudice or discrimination against them.
Gullis said that this principle “must extend to all minorities, including Jewish students, and the Jewish community has made it repeatedly clear that the IHRA definition is the best instrument to define anti-Jewish racism”. He also observed that over 35 countries, all major UK political parties and 100 higher education had all already adopted IHRA.
He went on to claim that “it is absurd that staff at your University think they know better”. The Warwick Assembly had also passed a separate motion specifically condemning the MP and his parliamentary colleague Rt. Hon. Robert Halfon MP.
Ending the letter, Gullis responded by stating that “he will continue to work to ensure Jewish students feel safe on campus. No motion or intimidating threats from Warwick University will deter me from this endeavour”. The university is yet to reply.
