Protecting and Offending Jews: Speech, Law and Policy

PROTECTING AND OFFENDING JEWS: SPEECH, LAW AND POLICY

Pears Institute for the study of Antisemitism, Birkbeck, University of London in partnership with the All-Party Parliamentary Group Against Antisemitism

Date: Tuesday 28 June 2016

Venue: Jubilee Room, Westminster Hall, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA

Time: 12.00 noon - 4.00 pm

The aim of the symposium is twofold. First, it is to consider those aspects of discourse which offend Jews. Is offensive discourse necessarily antisemitic? Do people take offence too readily and endanger free debate? At what point does criticism of Israel become offensive? Second, it is to ask whether, in view of growing concern over antisemitism, the law should be augmented or amended to protect Jews further or whether current laws that target discrimination and prejudice give adequate protection.

John Mann, MP will open the symposium, which is organised into three sessions:

Giving and Taking Offence

Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge

Policy and Politics - Social Media and BDS

Paul Iganski, Lancaster University

Brendan McGeever, Birkbeck, University of London

Race, Religion and the Law

Omar Khan, Director, Runnymede Trust

Rebecca Hilsenrath, Chief Executive, Equality and Human Rights Commission