• I WONDER whether readers are aware that following the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism the local council and other institutions adopted that definition despite protests from many Jews who foresaw a danger in that decision.

The definition states that anti-Semitism can be alleged of anyone criticising Zionism or even the state of Israel’s policies towards Palestinians.

Such a definition has been criticised as not only flawed but a policy leading to the silencing of free speech.

Even the phrase “anti-Semitism minimising” has been used to accuse innocent members of the Labour Party who rightly claim that criticising the Israeli government isn’t anti-Semitism.

Denial of the extent of the anti-Semitism in the party is itself alleged to be anti-Semitism! What could be more ridiculous?

Thousands recognise this for the witch-hunt that it is and have gathered to eradicate the nonsense that is pervading public life and are trying to turn back the new rules designed to silence critics of the new witch-hunt regime.

It is not easy to stamp out the new fascism which has taken root in universities and local authorities etc.

But all hope isn’t lost. There has been a challenge posed by international university professors and research academics who have created the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism.

They have set out, far better than can be summarised here, a much better definition of anti-Semitism which states categorically that criticism of Israeli government policies is neither anti-Semitic nor worthy of silencing as it has been so far.

It is hoped that common sense will prevail and this new definition will replace the old and enable rational debate to be pursued about Palestine and Zionism in the age-old tradition of free speech.

Readers may want to investigate it for themselves and sign the petition.

RUTH APPLETON
MARIE LYNAM
STEPHEN KAPOS
PAUL O’BRIEN
LINDA SAYLE, NW5