Letter: IHRA Definition of Antisemitism

Dear Boulder City Council,

I hope you all have had a chance to recharge a bit after the chaos that has ensued following the June antisemitic terrorist attack.

I am writing to you because I think it is extremely important that the city adopt a formal definition of antisemitism. The IHRA working definition is the most widely used and accepted and the version that I encourage you to formally adopt. The mayor of NYC just signed an executive order doing such, and the U.S. Department of State has been using this definition since May 2016. Numerous states, municipalities and universities also use this definition. I urge you to adopt this definition immediately. If we do not have a working definition of antisemitism, it will becoming increasingly hard to combat it within the city council chambers, city government and citywide. Given the June 1 antisemitic attack, it is extremely imperative that the city take concrete steps to stop antisemitism plaguing the city. Adopting the IRHA definition of antisemitism is one step in the right direction. The state of Georgia adopted this working definition in 2024; their House Bill language is a good template for the city (link). I am happy to discuss this further and/or put you all in touch with local experts like Miri Kornfeld of Stand With Us.

IHRA 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:

• Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or harming of Jews in the name of a radical ideology or an extremist view of religion.
• Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Jews as such or the power of Jews as collective — such as, especially but not exclusively, the myth about a world Jewish conspiracy or of Jews controlling the media, economy, government or other societal institutions.
• Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.
• Denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality of the genocide of the Jewish people at the hands of National Socialist Germany and its supporters and accomplices during World War II (the Holocaust).
• Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.
• Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, or to the alleged priorities of Jews worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations.
• Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.
• Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.
• Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.
• Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
• Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel.

Source link

Best,
Elise Mordos