As an academic community dedicated to the defence of diversity, equality and inclusion, we are committed to combating all forms of discrimination and hatred against persons and groups on the grounds of race, ethnicity, gender, age, origin, disability, religion, nationality or sexual orientation, including, of course, antisemitism.

The horrifying events unfolding in the Middle East have further exacerbated polarisation and antisemitism which is on the rise again and is being painfully felt in communities and universities around the world. 

We call on our colleagues, students and wider networks to fight against antisemitism and all other forms of discrimination at all costs. We pledge to communicate our values in all the universities where we teach, on all the social media platforms we use, in all the newspapers we can contact and to all the politicians we know. We also intend to combat any witch-hunts against members of universities (students and professors) who peacefully oppose the policies of a government or organisation, since debate is an essential part of education for democracy.

In recent years, there has been a backlash against EDI legislation and against defending persons from marginalised groups, such as LGBTQ+ people, women, migrants and different religious communities.  We believe that our mission is more important than ever.  It must not be subverted by some and caricatured by others. It must be pursued and supported. It is essential to the progress of democracy.