AJC Praises International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Action on Anti-Semitism

NEW YORK, May 26, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC commends the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) and the government of Romania, which holds the chairmanship of that body, for adopting a working definition of anti-Semitism. The action took place at the IHRA's plenary in Bucharest.

"IHRA's consensus decision encourages European governments to employ the working definition in educating police, prosecutors, and judges about the nature of anti-Semitism today," said Rabbi Andrew Baker, AJC's Director of International Jewish Affairs. "We salute Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and Ambassador Mihnea Constantinescu, the IHRA chair. They promised to make combating anti-Semitism a priority of their chairmanship, and they have delivered."

The IHRA definition is based on the 2005 European Monitoring Centre (EUMC) Working Definition. It offers a clear and comprehensive description of anti-Semitism in its various forms, including hatred and discrimination against Jews, Holocaust denial, and, of particular note, anti-Semitism as it relates to Israel.

IHRA Chair Constantinescu said: "By adopting this working definition, the IHRA is setting an example of responsible conduct for other international fora and hopes to inspire them also to take action on a legally binding working definition."

The IHRA consists of 31 countries, including 24 members of the European Union, the U.S., and Canada. In Europe, it encompasses those countries where anti-Semitism and anti-Israel animus as a mask for anti-Semitism have been most problematic.

AJC worked closely over a decade ago with the EUMC in developing this working definition as a tool for monitors and law enforcement officials.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee

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