Cambridge University history department promotes ‘weaponisation of antisemitism’ panel
EXCLUSIVE: Departmental bulletin at top university includes details of zoom event
A panel debating the ‘weaponisation’ of antisemitism is being promoted by Cambridge University history department and features a Jewish member of the university’s English faculty.
Details of Wednesday evening’s event, billed as ‘Jewish Solidarity with Palestinians: Antizionism, Activism and Liberation for All’, were shared with Jewish News by a concerned Jewish student who received the information through the history faculty at the university.
Taking place at 7pm, the panel debate, advertised in a bulletin sent to history students, is being held ‘In honour of the UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People’, with speakers including anti-Israel campaigner Barnaby Raine (Columbia University), Emily Hilton (Naamod co-founder), Julia Bard (Jewish Socialists’ Group), Haim Bresheeth-Zabner (Jewish Network for Palestine and SOAS) and Hana/Chana Morgenstern (Cambridge University).
Dr. Morgenstern is an associate professor in postcolonial and Middle Eastern literature at Cambridge University and a Fellow at Newnham College. She told Jewish News: “The event was organised by and for progressive Jewish students and faculty. We understand it doesn’t represent the views of all Jewish people, but we hope it will provide progressive Jews with perspective and support in this difficult time.”
Professor Mary Laven, chair of the faculty of history at Cambridge University, told Jewish News: “To clarify: the event that you refer to is not being run by the history faculty. A wide range of events, internal and external, are advertised in the faculty’s weekly bulletin. Inclusion in the bulletin does not indicate endorsement.”
She added: “More broadly, the University of Cambridge is fully committed to the principle, and to the promotion, of freedom of speech and expression. In exercising their right to freedom of expression, the University expects its staff, students and visitors to act within the law. We do not tolerate antisemitism, Islamophobia or any form of racism. While debate and discussion may be robust and challenging, all speakers have a right to be heard when exercising their right to free speech within the law.”
A spokesperson for Cambridge University’s office of external affairs and communications, told Jewish News he had “nothing to add to the statement you’ve already received from Mary” and referred concerned students and those affected by current events to a support page.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity to Jewish News, a Jewish student said: “Since the Hamas pogrom on 7 October, Jews at Cambridge University have seen a much more hostile atmosphere on campus, which has enabled a surge in antisemitism. And those Jews who have had the courage to speak out against antisemitism have been intimated and demonised. It’s in this context that events like these, which provide a platform to people who are blatantly hostile to Jewish students, actively makes things worse.
“Whilst the importance of freedom of speech and discussion is paramount, this is a particularly sensitive time for Jews. The university at the least should be considering how they can support Jewish students at a time of great worry and concern, rather than hosting speakers who push the lie about the “weaponisation of antisemitism”. Platforming speakers who hold the views of those who have recently been kicked out the Labour Party for antisemitism is absolutely disgraceful.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
