Mass exodus of organisations from antisemitism inquiry exposes it as a farce

Nine organisations who had previously engaged in good faith in Goldsmiths’ Inquiry into Antisemitism have published a statement publicly withdrawing their participation from the Inquiry, which has been ongoing since May 2023.

Goldsmiths’ Inquiry into Antisemitism: lack of transparency

The groups include the Goldsmiths’ Students Union, Goldsmiths UCU Executive, and the Goldsmiths research group Forensic Architecture, as well as civil society groups including the Muslim Association of Britain, and legal organisations including the European Legal Support Centre (ELSC).

Their public statement cites ‘incoherent and contradictory statements’ from the College and the Chair of the Inquiry, and a ‘lack of transparency’ over ‘who and what is being investigated’ that has led to a widespread loss of confidence in the Inquiry from students, staff and civil society.

One example they say is the Inquiry’s refusal to confirm even what definition of antisemitism it is applying to inform its work.

The signatories say that the Inquiry has failed to meaningfully engage with the political context of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza, and the legitimate question of how unfounded accusations of antisemitism are used to silence Palestinian voices and those who stand with them.

They say the two-year process “marginalises Palestinians and adopts an approach which discriminates against them, and appears to target those who criticise Israeli policies and Zionism.” Goldsmiths has recently apologised and paid damages to a lecturer they wrongly suspended after complaints that constituted part of this inquiry.

Violating the rights of other marginalised groups

The Inquiry, which is investigating the period 1 September 2018 to18 May 2023, has not indicated when it is due to complete. Freedom of Information requests sent by Michael Rosen (Goldsmiths Professor of Children’s Literature) in May 2024 found that the Inquiry had cost Goldsmiths £128,872 up to that point.

Ed Nedjari, Goldsmiths SU Chief Executive said:

It is crucial to address the rise of antisemitism; however, these efforts must not violate the rights of other marginalised groups, such as Palestinians, nor hinder the free expression of those who criticise Zionism and Israeli state policies, particularly against a backdrop of an ongoing Genocide in Gaza and an expansion of Settler Colonialism in the West Bank. The growing list of concerns, including the lack of transparency and questionable decisions made by the inquiry, has eroded any remaining confidence in its fairness and impartiality, ultimately leading to our decision to withdraw our support and participation.

We cannot, in good faith, support this inquiry while it advances without proper regard for the fundamental principles of equality and justice. Goldsmiths Students’ Union has consistently supported students’ critical engagement in their academic studies and civic activities. This inquiry contradicts our core values; we cannot risk complicity in restricting the freedoms of our members.

Goldsmiths’ Inquiry into Antisemitism: deeply concerning

Ben Jamal, Director of Palestine Solidarity Campaign said:

It is deeply concerning to see universities attempting to intimidate students who are engaged in campaigning for Palestinian human rights, or who make legitimate criticisms of Israel’s apartheid system and genocidal attacks. British universities collectively invest almost £430million in companies complicit in Israeli violations of international law. Instead of targeting those speaking out against these grave violations of international law and undermining academic freedom, universities should be working to divest their money from apartheid and genocide.

Dr Lewis Turner, Chair of the BRISMES Committee on Academic Freedom, said:

BRISMES is deeply concerned that this Inquiry’s approach threatens freedom of expression and academic freedom on the question of Palestine, which have been under sustained attack on UK campuses, especially since October 2023. It is particularly concerning that the Inquiry has refused to confirm whether it will use the widely-discredited IHRA definition of antisemitism and its examples, which have been shown, in our September 2023 report with the European Legal Support Center, to clearly undermine freedom of expression and academic freedom in universities.

Featured image via the Canary