Liverpool authority backs IHRA antisemitism definition in full

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.