German Parliament's Antisemitism Resolution Raises Concerns Over Academic Freedom

Critics argue the resolution's reliance on the IHRA definition may stifle open discourse and research in universities.

The German Bundestag passed a resolution to combat antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment in schools and universities, emphasizing the use of the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
Scholars and human rights organizations have criticized the IHRA definition for its vagueness and potential misuse to label criticism of Israeli policies as antisemitic.
The resolution has sparked fears among academics that it could lead to self-censorship and hinder research on sensitive topics, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Concerns have been raised about the resolution's impact on funding decisions, with critics suggesting it could penalize researchers critical of Israeli policies or supportive of movements like BDS.
Historians and experts warn the resolution risks undermining the autonomy of universities and the principle of academic freedom in Germany.