Wiesenthal Center Praises Germany's Adoption of Anti-Semitism Definition

September 20, 2017

 

The Simon Wiesenthal Center today commended Germany for officially adopting the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) Working Definition of Antisemitism*. The decision to adopt was made at a meeting of the German Cabinet on Wednesday in Berlin. “Germany's adoption of the Working Definition obligates authorities to take a stronger stance against anti-Semitic hate crimes and rhetoric,” said Mark Weitzman, Director of Government Affairs for the SWC and the former Chair of IHRA's Committee on Antisemitism who initiated and helped spearhead IHRA's adoption of the definition. “The German judiciary and police agencies now have clear guidelines defining antisemitism and must stop the recent incidents where police outrageously refused to categorize attacks against synagogues as anti-Semitic acts,” he added. 

 

“At a time of rising antisemitism the German government should now join with the Wiesenthal Center in urging other nations to join Germany, UK, Austria, Romania, and Israel in adopting the definition as soon as possible," Weitzman concluded.

*The IHRA definition states: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

 

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