The Israeli Parliament voted on Wednesday evening June 22 in favor of the definition of anti-Semitism proposed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).
“
We made a historic decision today
” by adopting this definition, Knesset (parliament) Speaker Mickey Levy said, according to a statement from his office.
"
The Knesset, as the House of Representatives of the Jewish people, is committed to fighting anti-Semitism in its ugliest forms...which includes Holocaust denial, the denial of the Jewish people's right to self-determination, as well as expressions of anti-Semitism disguised as criticism of Israel
,” added Mickey Levy.
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This definition, adopted by more than 30 countries around the world, describes various behaviors considered anti-Semitic, in particular Holocaust denial.
According to this, “
anti-Semitism is a certain perception of Jews which can manifest itself in hatred towards them.
Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism target Jewish and non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, community institutions and places of worship
”.
Its detractors believe that it prevents certain criticisms of the State of Israel.
Thus, the IHRA's definition includes “
the fact of denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination
”, equating anti-Zionist remarks with anti-Semitism.
The IHRA also denounces “
the unequal treatment of the State of Israel, which is asked to adopt behaviors that are neither expected nor required of any other democratic state
”.
"
Anti-Semitism erodes the most fundamental democratic values and combating it is a necessity
," said Mr. Levy, calling on other parliaments around the world "
to join the fight by adopting
" this definition of anti-Semitism.
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