Against Definitions: The Politics of Antisemitism Definitions – Webinar

The warning sounded by anti-Zionists that the institutional adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Antisemitism will, in the Palestinian scholar Muhannad Ayyash’s words, ‘hurt the Palestinian anti-colonial struggle and academic and advocacy freedom’ has come to fruition. In response to Palestinian resistance to Israeli settler colonialism and genocide, many institutions, from states and local governments, to schools and universities, have adopted the definition, often including it in their diversity, equity and inclusion policies.

Despite DEI now being under attack under a Trump government, the instrumentalisation of antisemitism definitions to thwart speech and action in support of Palestinian liberation is riding to ever higher repressive heights.

Despite DEI now being under attack under a Trump government, the instrumentalisation of antisemitism definitions to thwart speech and action in support of Palestinian liberation is riding to ever higher repressive heights.

To discuss this and the wider meaning of what happens to definitions of racism when they become tools of governance, join us in a webinar with:

Aline Batarseh – Executive Director of Visualizing Palestine and co-editor of Visualizing Palestine: A Chronicle of Colonialism and the Struggle for Liberation, (Haymarket Books, 2024)

Brooke Lober – Lecturer, UC Berkeley Department of Gender and Women’s Studies // Academic Council, Jewish Voice for Peace // Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine – UC Berkeley

Barry Trachtenberg – Rubin Presidential Chair of Jewish History at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, United States // Academic Advisory Boards of Jewish Voice for Peace and the Institute for the Critical Study of Zionism.

Chaired by Alana Lentin – Professor of Cultural and Social Analysis, Western Sydney University // Founding Collective member, Institute for the Critical Study of Zionism.