Communities Secretary urges councils to adopt IHRA definition of antisemitism
Letter sent to local authorities by Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick calls for adoption of international definition of antisemitism
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has urged local authorities to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism in a drive to stamp out racism.
Jenrick, who was named Communities Secretary in July, wrote to local councils last week, urging leaders to adhere to the international definition of antisemitism, formally adopted by the Government last year.
The intergovernmental organisation’s definition of antisemitism defines antisemitism as a “certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.”
It states that physical and verbal examples can be directed towards Jews and non-Jews, as well as Jewish groups and religious facilities.
Its 11 accompanying examples include accusing “Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel” and “denying the fact, scope, mechanisms (e.g. gas chambers) or intentionality” of the Holocaust.
Jenrick revealed his plans last month, telling a meeting of the Board of Deputies that local councils have “a duty to act and to stamp out antisemitism wherever they find it. So I do find it troubling in some cases that we are seeing the reverse.”
“I will be writing to all councils insisting that they adopt the IHRA at the earliest opportunity and use it at all appropriate occasions — including in their disciplinary proceedings,” he told the Board.
Describing boycotts, divestments and sanctions against Israel as “divisive,” he accused local authorities of “wasting time and taxpayers’ money pursuing their own foreign policy, often seemingly obsessed with Zionism to the detriment of delivering high quality services for local residents”.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
