UK government legally challenged over IHRA antisemitism definition being adopted in British schools
The recommendation followed a review of antisemitism in schools and colleges in England which said schools and colleges across England must recognize antisemitism as a distinct category of harm.
The UK government is facing a legal challenge over its decision to encourage English schools and colleges to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism as part of a broader reform package. This change was recommended after a review found that one in five students overall had witnessed antisemitism in schools, with many incidents going unreported due to concerns about inadequate responses.
However, the Good Law Project, a lawfare NGO, has announced plans to sue the UK government over this policy. Following discussions with Palestinian parents, students, and academics, Good Law wrote to the UK government to outline its grounds for challenge and request additional information on the policy. The NGO, which plans to share any surplus funds with the Magical Breakfast and Medical Aid for Palestinians, argues that schools have a duty to avoid promoting partisan political views and to protect free expression.
Good Law contends that the IHRA definition, which prohibits criticism of Israel, is problematic and may prevent students from expressing valid criticisms, such as those related to the destruction of Gaza or the Shoah. The group specifically references the recent proscription of the Palestine Action group by the UK government as a terrorist organization, noting that this decision could have severe implications for British Jews and Jewish institutions.
The Jewish Leadership Council and the Community Security Trust have been granted permission to intervene in the appeal against the Palestine Action proscription, arguing that such actions threaten the mainstream Jewish community. If the Supreme Court upholds the decision to proscribe Palestine Action, it could pose a significant risk to Jewish safety and community cohesion in the UK.
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