CAIR Engaged Harvard in Back-and-Forth Over Adoption of IHRA Definition of Antisemitism

A national Muslim civil rights group pressed Harvard last fall to clarify how it will enforce a controversial definition of antisemitism, warning that the policy could restrict campus speech and disproportionately affect Muslim and pro-Palestine students.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations argued in a September letter to University President Alan M. Garber ’76 that Harvard’s adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism last year — part of a settlement in two Title VI lawsuits — risked limiting protected speech on campus. The letter has not been previously reported.

In the letter, CAIR — the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization — wrote that the definition could “suppress First Amendment-protected speech” by conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism and “chill political discourse” among students and faculty.

Harvard adopted the IHRA definition in January 2025 as part of a settlement agreement resolving two lawsuits alleging the University failed to adequately address antisemitism on campus.

The IHRA definition includes examples of antisemitic speech, such as describing Israel as “a racist endeavor” or comparing Israeli government actions to those of Nazi Germany. Harvard has said it uses the definition and its examples as guidance in evaluating potential discrimination.

But CAIR argued in its letter that the definition’s application could have broader consequences for campus discourse.

“This action threatens to suppress First Amendment-protected speech by conflating legitimate student and faculty criticism of Israeli government policies and advocacy for Palestinian rights with antisemitism,” the group wrote.

The letter also cited Kenneth S. Stern, the original drafter of the IHRA definition, who has warned against codifying it into policy. Stern testified to Congress in 2017 that if institutions “enshrine this definition into law, outside groups will try and suppress — rather than answer — political speech they don’t like.”

CAIR asked Harvard to clarify how it would apply the definition in specific scenarios involving criticism of Israel, including whether statements describing the Israeli government as “openly racist” or characterizing the country’s founding as “a racist endeavor” would violate University rules.

The group also questioned whether comparisons between Israeli military actions and Nazi Germany or claims about pro-Israel influence on U.S. policy would be considered antisemitic under Harvard’s policies.

In the letter, CAIR urged Harvard to explain how it would protect “the safety, security, and sense of belonging” of students while also safeguarding the “free speech rights of students, faculty, and staff who criticize the Israeli government’s human rights abuses or otherwise speak out in support of Palestinian human rights.”

A University official responded in October by directing CAIR to frequently asked questions accompanying Harvard’s Non-Discrimination and Anti-Bullying Policies, according to Maryam Hasan, CAIR’s Unhostile Campus Campaign Specialist.

The FAQs state that Harvard uses the IHRA definition to identify antisemitism and considers its examples where they may be “useful in determining discriminatory intent.”

Hasan said in an interview Wednesday that CAIR found the response insufficient.

“We felt that the FAQs are still not providing a clear, enforceable way for students to show that they are being discriminated against,” she said.

University spokespersons did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

CAIR reiterated its concerns in a December follow-up letter, according to Hasan, arguing that Harvard’s policies were contributing to an atmosphere of “fear and intimidation” for Muslim and pro-Palestine students and calling on the University to adopt alternative definitions of antisemitism that are “not deemed controversial.”

“Harvard can do better in fostering a sense of belonging and a warm, inviting culture for Muslim students,” Hasan wrote in an email to The Crimson.

Hasan said Harvard has not responded to that letter.

The September letter was also referenced in a Tuesday open letter urging Harvard to take action against the Harvard Republican Club over what CAIR described as discriminatory remarks toward Muslim students in an April 4 post on X following an Eid al-Fitr celebration.

Hasan said that while Harvard has responded robustly to complaints of antisemitism, the University has not taken comparable action in response to reports of Islamophobia.

“We need more responses on Islamophobia complaints,” she said.

She added that improving campus climate would require clearer standards.

“It needs to be enforced in a way that Muslims feel safe, Muslims feel protected and welcomed — and it’s just not happening,” Hasan said.

—Staff writer Sebastian B. Connolly can be reached at [email protected] or on Signal @sbc.23. Follow him on X @SebastianC4784.

—Staff writer Summer E. Rose can be reached at [email protected] or on Signal @ser.85. Follow her on X @summerellenrose.