Bigots for Palestine

How the Palestine Solidarity Campaign tolerates Jew-hatred

A month-long investigation by Campaign Against Antisemitism has exposed extensive antisemitic bigotry amongst supporters of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign UK​. PSC’s patrons, affiliated trade unions and students’ unions should act on their commitment to fight antisemitism by ending their association with PSC until it agrees to adopt and enforce the International Definition of Antisemitism.

Key Findings

What you can do

It you are a member of a trade union or students’ union, you could propose a motion dissociating your union from PSC until it adopts and enforces the International Definition of Antisemitism. If you need help or advice, please contact us and we will be happy to help.

Trade Unions

This Union notes:

  • This Union has a proud history of fighting antisemitism and enforces a “No Platform” policy against racists.
  • On 12th December 2016, the British government adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism as widely adopted around the world and by institutions such as the National Union of Students and the UK College of Policing. The definition is published at antisemitism.org/definition).
  • The Palestine Solidarity Campaign states that it is “opposed to all forms of racism, including anti-Jewish prejudice”.
  • A report by Campaign Against Antisemitism, an apolitical, cross-denominational charity concerned with protecting Jews from antisemitism, has reviewed one month of comments on the Facebook page of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Their research found evidence of horrific antisemitic hate speech, including calls for Jews to be murdered. Over 7% of all user comments and replies on PSC posts were antisemitic, and there was very little counter speech by PSC supporters. PSC moderators removed other forms of hate speech, but not antisemitism.

This Union believes:

  • That all forms of bigotry, including antisemitism, must be vigorously opposed by our Union.
  • That our Union must not be associated with or affiliated to any organisation that promotes or tolerates antisemitism.
  • That political discourse about Israel or any other issue can only be truly free and open when it is conducted in the absence of bigotry.

This Union resolves:

  • To end all association with and affiliation to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and not to renew it until the Palestine Solidarity Campaign adopts and enforces the International Definition of Antisemitism.
  • That the Secretary is mandated to write to the Chair of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the Chairman of Campaign Against Antisemitism, informing them of this Union’s resolution

Students’ Unions

This Union notes:

  • This Union has a proud history of fighting antisemitism and enforces a “No Platform” policy against racists.
  • On 12th December 2016, the British government adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism as widely adopted around the world and by institutions such as the National Union of Students and the UK College of Policing. The definition is published at antisemitism.org/definition).
  • The Palestine Solidarity Campaign states that it is “opposed to all forms of racism, including anti-Jewish prejudice”.
  • A report by Campaign Against Antisemitism, an apolitical, cross-denominational charity concerned with protecting Jews from antisemitism, has reviewed one month of comments on the Facebook page of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Their research found evidence of horrific antisemitic hate speech, including calls for Jews to be murdered. Over 7% of all user comments and replies on PSC posts were antisemitic, and there was very little counter speech by PSC supporters. PSC moderators removed other forms of hate speech, but not antisemitism.
  • On 13th October 2016, the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee released its report into the rise of antisemitism in Britain. In addition to endorsing the International Definition of Antisemitism, the Committee found that “The word ‘Zionist’ (or worse, ‘Zio’) as a term of abuse, however, has no place in a civilised society. It has been tarnished by its repeated use in antisemitic and aggressive contexts. Antisemites frequently use the word ‘Zionist’ when they are in fact referring to Jews, whether in Israel or elsewhere…If these individuals genuinely mean only to criticise the policies of the Government of Israel, and have no intention to offend British Jewish people, they should criticise ‘the Israeli Government’, and not ‘Zionists’. For the purposes of criminal or disciplinary investigations, use of the words ‘Zionist’ or ‘Zio’ in an accusatory or abusive context should be considered inflammatory and potentially antisemitic.”
  • In relation to antisemitism at universities, the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee found that “The unique nature of antisemitism requires a unique response” and that “pro-Palestinian campaigns [must be educated so as to] avoid drawing on antisemitic rhetoric”

This Union believes:

  • That all forms of bigotry, including antisemitism, must be vigorously opposed by our Union.
  • That our Union must not be associated with any organisation that promotes or tolerates antisemitism.
  • That political discourse about Israel or any other issue can only be truly free and open when it is conducted in the absence of bigotry.

This Union resolves:

  • To end all association with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and not to renew it until the Palestine Solidarity Campaign adopts and enforces the International Definition of Antisemitism.
  • That the President is mandated to write to the Chair of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and the Chairman of Campaign Against Antisemitism, informing them of this Union’s resolution.