Liverpool authority backs IHRA antisemitism definition in full
Jewish community leaders herald the 'fantastic relationship' they have with local politicians as the definition is unanimously passed
Community leaders have welcomed a move by Liverpool’s regional authority to accept the full international definition of antisemitism.
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) voted unanimously to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition on Friday.
This follows a consultation between the LCRCA and Jewish groups, including the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) and the Merseyside Jewish Community.
Labour Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said the city has“a strong record in standing against antisemitism and all other forms of hate crime.”
Highlighting the work done by local bodies to build community cohesion, he said: “Adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition should help to build on that work and send a strong message that we will not tolerate antisemitism or any other hate crime.”
Marc Levy, North West regional manager at the JLC said: “The Merseyside Jewish community has always enjoyed a fantastic relationship with Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram. This was further cemented in a recent meeting where Steve agreed to adopt the full IHRA definition on antisemitism. The Jewish community strongly believe it is vital that there be a clear and practical definition that allows society to fight antisemitism in all its forms.
“I am delighted that this has been acted upon so swiftly and I would like to place on record my thanks to Steve for taking the concerns of the Jewish community so seriously.”
This comes after the Labour Party adopted the IHRA definition, following a public row over four of its working examples of antisemitism. Among those, was the claim, that to describe Israel as a “racist endeavour” should be considered antisemitic. At a meeting of Labour’s National Executive Committee in September, Jeremy Corbyn suggested a caveat to stop the definition from silencing perceived criticism of Israel, which was rejected by Labour’s ruling body.
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.
