The non-binding definition was developed in 2016 by the IHRA, an intergovernmental organization based in Berlin that seeks to strengthen Holocaust education.
The Latin American Parliament, which represents 23 Latin American and Caribbean countries, adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s working definition of antisemitism last week. It also urged each member state’s parliament to use the IHRA definition “as an active way of combating hate speech and as a tribute to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust.”
According to the IHRA definition, “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
The definition cites 11 examples, including, “Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor,” and “Applying double standards by requiring of it [Israel] a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.”
Yifa Segal, who is the founder and former CEO of the International Legal Forum, told the Tazpit Press Service that the Latin American Parliament’s adoption of IHRA is “potentially significant.” The International Legal Forum is an international network of lawyers countering antisemitism and terror.
She explained to TPS that the definition “is meant to give tools to governments, institutions and leaders to combat antisemitism.”
The Simon Wiesenthal Center, which is a nongovernmental partner of the parliament, officially requested that it adopt the definition “a few months ago,” according to a Wiesenthal Center release.