Theresa May urged to ‘systematically’ apply IHRA definition by WJC leader
World Jewish Congress president Ronald Lauder calls on the Prime Minister to be rigorous in enforcing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism
The head of the World Jewish Congress has urged Theresa May to apply the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism “systematically”.
WJC president Ronald Lauder wrote to the British prime minister towards the end of last year urging her to embed the IHRA definition “as an effective tool for law enforcement” despite it being non-legally binding.
The UK was the first country to adopt the definition, which has been criticised for limiting free speech on Israel, but it was not adopted as a statutory definition or as part of statutory guidance, so does not purport to be a legal definition.
However, in his letter, Lauder said “only through its adoption, encoding and enforcement can antisemitism be confronted and stopped,” raising the prospect of pressure to give the definition the power of law.
As it stands, conduct contrary to the definition is not illegal, unless it also breaches laws around racial or religious harassment.
Responding two weeks ago, May did not commit to measures that would alter the definition’s status, saying only that it was “an important and valuable tool to understand how antisemitism manifests itself in the 21st century,” adding: “With it, no-one can ever plead ignorance.”
Leading barristers, including Hugh Tomlinson QC, have described the definition’s wording as “vague and unclear,” “confusing” and “lacking clarity and comprehensiveness”.
He said: “There is likely to be lack of consistency in its application and a potential chilling effect on public bodies which, in the absence of definitional clarity, may seek to sanction or prohibit any conduct which has been labelled by third parties as antisemitic without applying any clear criterion of assessment.”
Elsewhere in his letter, Lauder said he was “deeply concerned… with the growing signs of hatred towards Britain’s Jewish population, as well as the only Jewish state in the world, Israel”.
May said: “I want to reaffirm my absolute commitment to ensuring that Jewish people feel safe to go about their lives without fear of persecution.”
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.
