Global call for UN to adopt IHRA

BY ADAM MOSES

Over 160 Jewish communities, organisations and faith leaders have called on the United Nations to use the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism.

The global initiative comes as UN Under-Secretary-General Miguel Angel Moratinos heads a meeting in Cordoba, Spain where the UN action plan will be discussed next month (June 20-21).

The Anti-Defamation League, B’nai B’rith, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organisations, European Jewish Congress and World Jewish Congress are among signatories from 66 countries appealing to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Moratinos “to ensure the IHRA definition is referenced positively” as an educational and monitoring tool.

UN staff should be trained by key stakeholders to recognise and respond to antisemitism.

Ambassador Ronald S. Lauder, WJC President commented on the letter. He said: “The importance of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism cannot be overstated. It is the most widely adopted and accepted definition by governments, institutions and organisations around the world. It’s essential to effectively combat antisemitism, because it allows policymakers worldwide to identify and respond to all forms of Jew hatred, including those that may be more subtle, but no less insidious.

“The international Jewish community would be gravely disappointed if the IHRA definition were not exclusively included in any action plan and would see it as not representative of their experiences and the true manifestations of modern antisemitism.”

Evelyn Sommer, WJC Chair, North America, added:

“It is the only definition that clearly, specifically and accurately describes the aspects of the antisemitism that is threatening Jewish communities and individuals around the globe, including Jew-hatred, discrimination and physical attacks, and the kind of anti-Zionism that disguises antisemitism by denying Jewish self-determination. The UN was founded in the aftermath of the Holocaust and to fail to adopt this tool to combat this enduring hatred is a betrayal of that original noble intent of the UN to finally erase hatred and bigotry from all society.”

The letter states: ‘We have long recognised that in order to combat antisemitism we must understand it. Key to these efforts is employing a clear and comprehensive definition that explains the multiple forms antisemitism may take. It is our collective view that the non-legally binding IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism is an indispensable tool to understand and fight antisemitism, and one that can be used entirely consistently with fundamental human rights standards. Indeed, any UN Action Plan must acknowledge the importance of the IHRA Working Definition to the vast majority of Jewish individuals, organisations, and communities who are the primary targets of antisemitic hatred, discrimination and violence.’

Campaign Against Antisemitism are among signatories. They note that Guterres has acknowledged the importance of the definition, stating that “antisemitism is not a problem for the Jewish community alone” as it threatens “all people’s human rights”.

The UN’s Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2019 observed that antisemitism is the “canary in the coalmine of global hatred” and “toxic to democracy”.

The definition identifies and tackles anti-Jewish hatred.

CAA noted that the UN is not immune to antisemitism and is viewed by many Jews around the world as hostile to our community and insensitive to its aspirations. CAA added that UN resolutions and activities are harmful to the welfare of Jewish people while UN officials have held antisemitic views.

CAA and other organisations have documented numerous incidents, reporting UN-funded organisations, including UNRWA, for teaching hatred and violence towards Jews.

CAA noted that the call from Jewish organisations comes after activist groups including Amnesty International, Jewish Voice for Labour and Human Rights Watch called on the UN not to adopt the definition.

A spokesman observed: “Fighting antisemitism may not be popular because Jews are one of the world’s smaller minorities, but if the UN is not able to help protect the world’s more vulnerable communities, then what purpose does it serve? It therefore behoves to the UN to adopt the Definition at its forum on antisemitism in Cordoba next month.”

National, state and local governments, corporations, sports franchises, academics and universities have adopted the IHRA definition around the world.