On February 21/21, the Executive of the APUO (Association of Professors of the University of Ottawa) adopted a motion to reject the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism The APUO motion states that the, “APUO opposes antisemitism and all forms of racism and hatred …” Yet, rejection of the IHRA definition is a tacit acceptance of an insidious form of racism. 

By releasing a statement against the IHRA definition, a definition adopted by the Governments of Ontario and Canada (in addition to many countries as well as Universities and Colleges worldwide), the APUO is hiding behind a claim of threat to academic freedom to support a position that undermines the protections for a minority group on campus.

There is absolutely nothing in the IHRA limiting academic freedom or freedom of speech more generally (it is a non-legally binding definition). In fact, the IHRA explicitly states that, “… criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic.”

The IHRA definition of antisemitism is a consensus definition that emerges from the lived experience of Jewish people around the world. Jewish people continue to be the most targeted minority group and victims of hate crimes in Canada (19% of all incidents).

We are disappointed in the lack of transparency and justification provided to members directly impacted by the APUO motion to reject the IHRA definition of antisemitism. As members and allies of the Jewish minority group at uOttawa, we reject the motion put forth by the APUO and call on the APUO leadership to rescind this motion and provide a clear plan on how the APUO will rebuild trust with its Jewish members.