General Assembly – August 30, 2018 / Re-adopted: August 16, 2023
The European Union of Jewish Students believes:
1. The threat posed by the BDS movement to Jewish life in Europe on account of the anti-Jewish sentiment of many involved in the campaign, and the impact a boycott of Israel would have on the provision of kosher food, academic freedom and cultural pluralism is serious issue.
2. The founder of the BDS movement, Omar Barghouti, opposes the very existence of the State of Israel and has repeatedly drawn comparisons between Israel and the Nazi regime.
3. The BDS movement, while claiming to oppose Israeli policies, targets its hateful rhetoric, holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of Israel.
4. The conversation on Israel often descends into antisemitic discourse, with deeply troubling tropes and false comparisons made. The IHRA working definition remains the most comprehensive outline of what constitutes antisemitism, alongside the clear line between legitimate criticism, and antisemitic rhetoric.
5. The masquerading of BDS as progressive has led to exclusion of Jews from mainstream progressive spaces, in what constitutes an affront on their liberty.
6. No European Jew is responsible for the actions of the Israeli State, however neither should they be expected or forced to disavow them.
The European Union of Jewish Students resolves:
1. To oppose the BDS movement in all its forms.
1.1. EUJS commits to sharing best practise across unions to achieve this end.
2. To continue to tackle left wing antisemitism in all its forms, including Anti-Zionist antisemitism.
3. To continue working to push governments, local authorities, supranational organisations, universities and student councils to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism in full, with all its examples.
4. Not to invite BDS activists and BDS linked organisations to EUJS activities, while still attending activities and engaging in lively discussions on a case by case basis, where BDS-related activists are present or featured. At the same time, EUJS is committed to publicly oppose the invitation and featuring of BDS- related activists and their organisations by other organisations and public spaces. Further, EUJS continues to strive for a strong dialogue with alternative solutions.
4.1. EUJS is committed to giving space to European Jews with all types of connection to Israel and none. EUJS plays an important role in safeguarding the European diaspora continuity. In the interest of being a diverse and inclusive organisation, it is our strength when we welcome Jews of all political affiliations, and allow for distancing from Zionism.
5. To work to ensure European Jewish youth are able to engage in progressive spaces free from intimidation.
6. In the interest of fighting antisemitism it is crucial to advance coalition building efforts and build deep alliances with other minorities who face racism. Fighting racism in all its forms, we believe, makes us more effective in fighting antisemitism.
