Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK (AOHR UK) has condemned “Gavin Williamson”, British Minister of Education, for attempting to politicize education and pressuring universities to adopt the new definition of anti-Semitism, thus giving greater opportunity to the occupation forces and their lobby to abuse and silence those opposing his policies.
Encouraging crimes to be committed
This step only aims to criminalize the freedom of expression when it comes to criticizing Israel, since Williamson’s approach would give further illegitimate powers to the Israeli occupation forces, allow it to violate international humanitarian law and commit more crimes against Palestinians.
The new definition of “anti-Semitism” adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance contradicts with the adopted ideas of anti-Semitism and legitimate criticism of Israel and its policies.
This is merely a desperate attempt to protect the occupation forces, which commits aggression against defenseless Palestinians, described as war crimes under international laws and the resolutions of the United Nations and Security Council.
An open prison
AOHR UK warned against adopting the new definition of anti-Semitism since it would turn universities into open prisons, as it would grant university administrations wide powers by which they can threaten the students’ educational future if they decided to shed light on Israel’s ongoing crimes and address them in an academic manner. This would restrict the freedom of opinion and expression guaranteed by local and international laws.
AOHR UK has called on the UK government to refrain from adopting the new definition and not impose it on universities and various civil institutions as this would be restricting the freedom of expression and would violate the rights of Palestinians by depriving them of their right to speak about the crimes they are being exposed to.
Adopting this definition would contribute to silencing the voices defending Palestinian rights.
