Plaid Cymru’s Westminster MPs back full IHRA definition

MPs for Welsh party Plaid Cymru have backed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism in full.

Community leaders welcomed the move taken by the party’s four Westminster representatives, who follow the examples set by the UK government as well as Scottish and Welsh devolved bodies.

This comes after Plaid’s parliamentary leaders held meetings with the Jewish Leadership Council, Community Security Trust and the Antisemitism Policy Trust. After backing the IHRA definition, it was confirmed a motion will also be presented to the party’s National Council.

Marc Levy, Northwest Regional Manager at the Jewish Leadership Council welcomed the move, saying “It has been an absolute pleasure working with Liz Saville Roberts MP and Hywel Williams MP”, in agreeing to back the definition.

“Their positive and constructive engagement with the Jewish community has been hugely appreciated.”

“I am also grateful that they intend on bringing the matter before the forthcoming Plaid National Council. This will ensure that the whole Party take the important step of adopting the IHRA definition.”

Danny Stone, Director of the Antisemitism Policy Trust said: “We have had a long and positive engagement with Plaid Cymru and were pleased to be able to liaise with the parliamentary party, again, on positive measures to better understand and address antisemitism.”

Liz Saville Roberts MP, Westminster Leader of Plaid Cymru said she is “proud to take a stand against prejudice on the grounds of race or religion. Political parties must be alert to their leadership role in resisting hate crime in all its manifestations.”

This comes after the Labour Party’s governing body came under criticism for deciding not to back the full IHRA definition. A modified version was agreed, without four of its 12 examples, although three senior Trade Union leaders have called on the party to back the full version.