Board anger after Jersey does not adopt IHRA definition of anti-Semitism

The Board of Deputies has reacted in anger to a decision by politicians on the Channel Island of Jersey not to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism.

A spokesperson for the Board said the representative body had raised its concerns with the island, and expressed hope that the decision could be overturned.

“We have raised this with the Jersey Government and we intend to discuss with them the importance of adopting the IHRA definition,” said the Board.

“We would urge them to listen to the island’s Jewish community, which has always experienced positive relations with the administration since the end of the Nazi occupation of the island.”

Jersey’s decision comes about a furious argument between Jewish community representatives and Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) over the latter’s decision not to incorporate all aspects of the IHRA definition in its new code of conduct. The NEC has since said it will consult on its code before adopting it.

The head of the island’s 50-strong Jewish community said it was “disturbing” but most likely a decision made through ignorance, rather than malice.

“I believe that this is an issue of people who perhaps don’t understand the connotations of the decision that they’re making, said Stephen Regal, president of Jersey Jewish Congregation.

“As Jews we are aware of from where racism stems and our antenna are highly raised… I honestly believe that whatever decision is being made is one of lack of understanding of the situation as a whole.”

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