UCL attack on Academic Freedom
Published
by
Richard Kuper
JVL Introduction
A further example of the troubling use of references to the IHRA definition of antisemitism being used to curb free speech has emerged at University College London.
This “definition” has clearly contributed to a climate of suspicion and hostility and a quite unacceptable presumption that discussion of Noam Chomsky’s ideas is likely to be antisemitic…
This article was originally published by Free Speech on Israel. Reprinted with permission on Fri 18 Oct 2019. Read the original here.
UCL attack on Academic Freedom
Mike Cushman analyses the unreasonable and unprecedented restrictions UCL have placed on what may be said at the launch of a new book on Chomsky’s work. They have extended the range of examples that they define as antisemitic even beyond the wide ranging and frequently criticised examples attached to the IHRA definition.
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Well you can see why they’ve done this as one of the authors and speakers is Jackie Walker, which I find odd you didn’t mention… Of course though it’s a ridiculous set of conditions. They might just as well refer to what no doubt they already have, which is a policy on racism etc., which applies at any event and any activity on campus.
UCL did not mention Walker and I had no wish to give further currency to the erroneous assumption that she is inclined to antisemitism when she speaks. Viewing of the film WitchHunt explains further why making such an assertion is unfounded and hurtful.
Even more pertinent is that UCL has, as an academic institution of high repute and as it should, hosted many controversial speakers. It has not in the past deemed it necessary to describe an elaborate list of dos and don’ts for an event, relying on its normal terms and conditions for meetings which, I expect, include a prohibition on racism and other forms of hate speech.
What makes this event so special?
Chomsky is right. The book authors should tell UCL to drop the launch event.
Instead, they should work with a radical bookshop and launch the book there.
They can call the event “Read the book London University wanted censored”
The IHRA so-called “definition” and “examples” are working just fine.
They were designed from the outset to stifle free speech.
This latest incident of suppression shows just how well they work.
As a former student of UCL, I’m disappointed by their restrictions. Free speech in academia is no longer possible in this country. The Conversation has been running a series of articles about it.
A well-reasoned commentary on an appalling restriction on freedom of speech. Thank you for publishing.
Excellent response from Noam Chomsky.
I, too, would side with Chomsky in making a decision not to participate in auch an event, where the restrictions mean that the issues cannot, in essence, be discussed.
There is no point in temporising with those using ‘antisemitism’ as a cover for their own political agenda – and, as a result, creating a de facto environment creating its own prejudice rather than opposing it.
At a gut level, the exploitation of our common memory of holocaust victims for narrow sectarian ends is truly sickening.
I am very worried about the long term implications of this.
Are UCL Press likely to publish a controversial book like this in future ?
No need for an edict from UCL management, self censorship will do the job.