The University and Colleges Union’s (UCU) plan to question the Government’s definition of antisemitism “beggars belief” according to Jonathan Arkush, president of the Board of Deputies.

Delegates at the UCU’s upcoming congress will debate whether they should oppose the definition of antisemitism as drawn up by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) and which the British government adheres to.

Proposed by delegates from Leeds, Brighton, Goldsmiths and London universities, the motion claims that the definition, “conflates antisemitism with criticism of the state of Israel and has been used to intimidate academics who are engaged in activities that are critical of the policies of the Israeli government, but that are not antisemitic”.

Reacting to the decision, Mr Arkush pointed out that the definition is also supported by the Labour Party and the NUS. He added: “In the light of this support, the motion to disassociate the UCU from the IHRA definition is deeply disappointing, not least because of similar motions in the UCU in the past.

“Despite past form, it beggars belief that anyone in the UCU would want to dictate to Jews what constitutes antisemitic abuse against them.

“This resolution seeks to deny victims of antisemitic abuse the right to call it out for what it is - particularly when it is dressed up as extremist and dangerous demonisation of Israel or when Jews are harassed or intimidated because of their connections with Israel.”

Urging delegates to “confront this pernicious affront to common decency”, he added: “The Jewish community will continue to fight hatred of Jews in all its forms and those that oppose such efforts will continue to discredit themselves.”