Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on November 6, 2022

About the IHRA non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism

The IHRA is the only intergovernmental organization mandated to focus solely on Holocaust-related issues, so with evidence that the scourge of antisemitism is once again on the rise, we resolved to take a leading role in combating it. But to begin to address the problem of antisemitism, there must be clarity about what antisemitism is.

The experts in the IHRAs Committee on Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial built international consensus around a non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism, which was then adopted by the Plenary. By doing so, the IHRA set an example of responsible conduct for other international fora and provided an important practical tool for its Member Countries.

The working definition has empowered many to address this rise in hate and discrimination at their national levels. Information on endorsement and adoption of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism can be found here.

Countering antisemitism today also means countering Holocaust distortion. Explore the IHRA's Toolkit Against Holocaust Distortion to learn more and to find ways to get involved.

In the spirit of the Stockholm Declaration that states: With humanity still scarred by antisemitism and xenophobia the international community shares a solemn responsibility to fight those evils the committee on Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial called the IHRA Plenary in Budapest 2015 to adopt the following working definition of antisemitism.On 26 May 2016, the Plenary in Bucharest decided to:

Adopt the following non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism:

Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.

To guide IHRA in its work, the following examples may serve as illustrations:Manifestations might include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity. However, criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic. Antisemitism frequently charges Jews with conspiring to harm humanity, and it is often used to blame Jews for why things go wrong. It is expressed in speech, writing, visual forms and action, and employs sinister stereotypes and negative character traits.Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to:

Antisemitic acts are criminal when they are so defined by law (for example, denial of the Holocaust or distribution of antisemitic materials in some countries).Criminal acts are antisemitic when the targets of attacks, whether they are people or property such as buildings, schools, places of worship and cemeteries are selected because they are, or are perceived to be, Jewish or linked to Jews.Antisemitic discrimination is the denial to Jews of opportunities or services available to others and is illegal in many countries.

Original post:

What is antisemitism? | IHRA - Working Definition of Antisemitism

Category: Holocaust Denial
Tags: